US-based Harvard University will take up a training programme for Maharashtra jail officials next year on various issues ranging from inmates welfare to renaming of prisons as ‘Correction Homes’.
“The University has agreed in principle to take up a customised programme next year. The programme will be as per our requirement on surveillance, jail security and inmates welfare. Superintendent and DIG rank officials will be selected to attend the programme. American officers will also be part of it,” Principal Secretary (Home) Vijay Satbir Singh said.
On the lines of Chicago jails where 30 per cent of inmates suffer mental disorder and the prisons are called as ‘Correction Centres’, state authority will take steps to rename domestic jails as ‘sudhar griha’ (correction home).
“We too are going to call our jails ‘Sudhar griha’ and the jails will also have Department of correction,” Mr. Singh said.
Meanwhile, the Home department is in the process of simplifying all permissions and licenses for eating joints, arms licenses and other licenses under the Bombay Police Act.
“We want to make the process of applications simple, transparent and hassle free with minimal paper work. Home department is concerned with security, law and order and traffic. As Regulatory authority, the relevant information while complying with all norms and standards will be sought in simple format,” he said.
Mr. Singh said the rules and Acts will be amended to provide for Single-Window Clearance.
“Due to repetitive procedures, there is difficulty in starting businesses. Hence, rules and Acts will be amended to provide Single-Window Clearance,” he said.
