New jail for women may come up in Jalpaiguri

 

COOCH BEHAR, Jan. 15: The state government is considering a proposal for setting up of a special correctional home for women prisoners of north Bengal. The proposed correctional home may come up in Jalpaiguri.

 

State social welfare and prisons minister Mr Biswanath Chaudhury said today at Cooch Behar Circuit House that there is a jail for women prisoners in Purulia. It is the lone jail for the women. The government already sanctioned funds for renovation and improvement of the existing district jails, sub-divisional jails and special jails in the state. Now, a proposal for setting up of a new jail in Jalpaiguri especially for women prisoners of north Bengal is under consideration, he said.

 

There is a special jail at Alipore in Kolkata but no one in north Bengal till now, the minister said. Presently, the women prisoners have to stay at special cells in district and sub-divisional correctional homes. Once introduced it will be possible to keep the women prisoners of north Bengal in the new jail, he said. At the same time renovation work of the special jail at Alipore may start in next two or three months.

 

The minister however said though they are considering setting up of the new special jail for women in Jalpaiguri the site may change as no final decision was taken yet. The proposal is still at its primary stage. If not possible in Jalpaiguri it may come up in any district of north Bengal. []