Maharashtra: Mumbai Division prisoners to be kept in Kolhapur, Aurangabad, and Nashik prisons to reduce depression

Pune, 17th February 2023: The Maharashtra State Prisons department has issued an order to transfer prisoners sentenced under the Mumbai Division to prisons in Kolhapur, Aurangabad, and Nashik instead of Nagpur and Amravati.

The decision was made after considering the difficulties faced by prisoners’ relatives in travelling long distances to visit them in prison, as well as the need to maintain communication between prisoners and their families to reduce depression and stress.

The circular from the Prison Headquarters has directed the South (Mumbai) Division to classify prisoners according to their respective prisons in the state. Previously, prisoners sentenced in Mumbai were transferred to Nagpur and Amravati prisons, requiring their relatives to travel 700-800 kilometers to meet them.

According to officials, the transfer of prisoners to prisons closer to their homes will not only make it easier for their families to visit but also provide a more supportive environment for prisoners. The order has been sent to the Superintendent of Jails in the Mumbai Division, who will oversee the process of transferring prisoners to the new facilities.

The decision has been welcomed by both prisoners and their families, who have expressed satisfaction with the new arrangement. It is hoped that the move will improve the mental well-being of prisoners, who will now have more frequent contact with their families, and help them to better cope with the challenges of incarceration.