Visakhapatnam: To address the problem of overcrowding in Vizag central prison, which is packed by over 121% of its capacity, the prison authorities have decided to shift over 200 inmates on temporary transfer basis to Rajahmundry central prison.
Vizag central prison has been plagued by a few controversies in recent days. A few days ago, three mobile phones were reportedly found on the jail premises. Recently, some warders of the prison staged a protest against the prison authorities. A few months ago, a jail staff was caught supplying cannabis to the inmates. A small cannabis plant was also reportedly found on the jail premises.
According to information from various sources, Vizag central prison has been overcrowding inmates for the past few years. A large number of blocks in the prison are occupied by smugglers who were caught while trying to transport cannabis from parts of the north Andhra Pradesh to other parts of the country .The number has reached an alarming proportion and prison authorities are facing difficulty in accommodating new inmates due to lack of space.
Mahesh Babu, superintendent of Vizag central prison, told TOI that prison has capacity to accommodate 914 inmates, including 80 female inmates. But, it is crowded with 2,028 inmates, including 417 convicted persons. There are 1,131 prisoners who have been booked under NDPS Act for ganja related cases.
“We have been chalking out plans to temporarily transfer over 200 prisoners from Vizag central prison to Rajahmundry central prison to deal with the overcrowding situation here. Once the situation (capacity of the inmates in the prison) is under control, the inmates will return to Vizag central prison from Rajahmundry,” Mahesh Babu added.
Vizag central prison has been plagued by a few controversies in recent days. A few days ago, three mobile phones were reportedly found on the jail premises. Recently, some warders of the prison staged a protest against the prison authorities. A few months ago, a jail staff was caught supplying cannabis to the inmates. A small cannabis plant was also reportedly found on the jail premises.
According to information from various sources, Vizag central prison has been overcrowding inmates for the past few years. A large number of blocks in the prison are occupied by smugglers who were caught while trying to transport cannabis from parts of the north Andhra Pradesh to other parts of the country .The number has reached an alarming proportion and prison authorities are facing difficulty in accommodating new inmates due to lack of space.
Mahesh Babu, superintendent of Vizag central prison, told TOI that prison has capacity to accommodate 914 inmates, including 80 female inmates. But, it is crowded with 2,028 inmates, including 417 convicted persons. There are 1,131 prisoners who have been booked under NDPS Act for ganja related cases.
“We have been chalking out plans to temporarily transfer over 200 prisoners from Vizag central prison to Rajahmundry central prison to deal with the overcrowding situation here. Once the situation (capacity of the inmates in the prison) is under control, the inmates will return to Vizag central prison from Rajahmundry,” Mahesh Babu added.
