Ranchi, Jul 29 The Jharkhand government on Wednesday informed the high court that 32 acres have been identified in Hazaribagh for the construction of an open jail in the district.
A division bench of the HC comprising Chief Justice MS Sonak and Justice Rajesh Shankar was hearing a public interest litigation on the condition of jails and inmates.
During the hearing, the state informed the court that 32 acres had been identified for the extension and construction of the open jail.
The government counsel also stated that a proposal has already been forwarded to the home department for this purpose.
A special area will be earmarked for women inmates to be lodged in the jail, the counsel informed.
The HC directed the government to use the facilities of jails in Ranchi, Hazaribagh, Dumka and Jamshedpur as correctional centres until the open jail is constructed.
The matter will be heard next on September 10.
The concept of open prisons in India was mooted by the Supreme Court. These are minimum-security, trust-based correctional facilities without high walls, bars or armed guards inside.
The main objective of such correctional centres is to promote self-discipline among inmates, facilitate family living together and provide opportunities for daily wage work or farming.
