21 new jails to resolve overcrowding

Bhubaneswar, Feb 18 (UNI) Orissa Chief Minister Naveen Patnaik today said the government will construct 21 new jails under modernisation scheme to solve the problem of overcrowding.

Replying to a question of BJP member Bimbadhar Kuanr, he said at present the state has 70 jails with a total intake capacity of 10,609 inmates against the prison population of 15,235 inmates.

He further said each of the new jail would have an capacity to accommodate about 300 prisoners.

In addition to it, 65 wards in all the existing jails with a total capacity of 5200 had also been provided, Mr Patnaik said adding that 15 new jails and 34 additional wards have already been constructed.

Mr Patnaik said the additional wards could accommodate 7000 prisoners.

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