Bhubaneswar: In a significant move, prisoners across Odisha’s jails will receive premature remission of their sentences, offering them a chance to reintegrate into society. This decision was announced by the Jail Department as part of the Prison Foundation Day celebrations.
The remission initiative will benefit over 400 prisoners lodged in 87 jails across the state. These individuals are serving sentences ranging from one year to life imprisonment for serious offenses such as dacoity, murder, and sexual assault.
The decision was implemented under the authority granted to the Directorate of Prisons and Correctional Services. Prisoners demonstrating good behavior during their incarceration are eligible for this benefit. The process includes a remission of up to 60 days by the Director General of Prisons (DG), while Jail Superintendents can grant up to seven days’ remission. Prisoners’ conduct will be monitored over a year before any reduction in sentences is finalized.
Prisons DG A.K. Ray stated that further remissions are planned for April 2025 under the prison reforms program. He emphasized that such initiatives aim to support the rehabilitation of prisoners and their return to mainstream society.
