Entry of outside training personnel stopped in correctional homes

Kolkata: In a bid to check spreading of COVID-19, entry of members of different organisations to provide training to inmates in correctional homes in the state has been restricted until further notice.

This is one among the slew of measures taken to ensure safety of 22,000 inmates in 60 correctional homes across the state. According to the sources, members of certain organisations used to get entry to correctional homes to provide training on painting and making of handicrafts. Some also used to provide tuition classes to inmates.

"Now, to ensure that inmates do not get affected by Coronavirus, it has been decided not to allow members of such organisations inside the correctional homes. The training programmes will be taken up later, once the situation normalises," said an officer of a central correctional home in the state, adding that the measures have been taken following guidelines of the state Correctional Administration department.

The Correctional Home authorities are also ensuring that inmates talk to their near and dear ones during the time of regular "interview", maintaining a safe distance. Also, whenever any officer returns with an inmate from court, both have to wash hands with sanitiser.

A separate area will also be maintained in each of the correctional homes, where inmates will be quarantined if needed. There are hospitals in all eight correctional homes, where doctors will take immediate and necessary steps if they find anyone suffering from cough and cold.

In the remaining correctional homes, where there is no hospital, the inmates will be taken to nearby healthcare units for necessary treatment of a patient. The correctional home authorities would take an inmate to NICED or SSKM Hospital in Kolkata, if a swab test is required.