SHILLONG, DEC 19: Chief Minister Conrad K Sangma on Friday announced that the state cabinet has approved a new jail remission policy, aligning with a recent Supreme Court directive aimed at simplifying and expanding the process for early release of prisoners.
Speaking to reporters after the meeting on Friday, Sangma said, “The cabinet has approved the notification of the remission policy, as per the mandate of the Supreme Court. All states are working on this, basically to make the process simpler and to allow the superintendent of the jail to also act suo moto if he or she feels a convict’s punishment should be reduced or the person released.”
He added that the policy introduced reforms that empower prison superintendents to initiate remission proceedings without waiting for a written request from a family member.
“Earlier, a family member had to write and only then would the case be taken up. Now, the superintendent of the prison can, on his or her own, consider genuine cases for remission,” Sangma said.
“Yes, those provisions are there. As per the new laws, the basic framework remains untouched, but the process has been streamlined with these small reforms,” he added.
By Our Reporter
