Over 800 prisoners infected with COVID-19 in Odisha jails

Bhubaneswar: Over 800 prisoners lodged at various jails in Odisha have been infected with COVID-19 in second wave of the pandemic.

So far, 816 prisoners have tested positive for COVID in 33 jails across the State, of which 420 have recovered from the infection, the Prisons Department informed yesterday.

However, 54 jails have not reported a single COVID-19 positive cases in Odisha.

The State Government has continued efforts to minimise the number prisoners in jails during COVID crisis.

According to reports, total 20,150 prisoners were lodged at 87 jails including Jharpada Special Jail  by May 1, 2021, which was above the capacity. By May 26, the number dropped to 18,580 after many prisoners were released on parole as per the decision by the Home Department of the State Government.

Meanwhile, more prisoners have been transferred to other jails. As many as 658 inmates were relocated during the period of COVID crisis.

Official source said that the prisons have been provided financial assistance for treatment of jail inmates diagnosed with COVID-19. The sub-jails and special jails have been provided the financial aid amounting to Rs 15,000 and Rs 25,000 respectively. The prison wards and campuses are regularly sanitised with help of firefighters, the department said.