Prison inmates allowed video calls after long delay

Prison authorities in Karnataka have started video conferencing service for the prisoners lodged in its jails across the state in an attempt to allow the inmates to talk to their families months after a government order.

Dharwad: The COVID-19 pandemic has turned life upside down, making even the simplest gesture of affection, like a hug into life-threatening action. Considering the dangers of close contact in the time of the coronavirus pandemic, the Ministry of Home Affairs had early on ordered that the mulaqats (meetings) between prisoners and their families be stopped until the pandemic was under control. The MHA asked Prison Authorities to allow video calls/phone calls.

More than six months after the MHA order, Karnataka prison authorities have now brought video call facility for inmates who are in prison and have not been allowed to meet, see or speak to their family due to Coronavirus.

The family members of criminals, accused were not allowed to meet their family due to corona from past 8 months. Thus, the National Prison Information portal has launched a new project in the prisons of the state under the leadership of DGP Aloka Mohana.

The project has been launched at the Dharwad Central Prison. The new project connects inmates and families through e-mulaqat. Visitors need to book an appointment on the portal through their registered mobile number using a valid government ID proof and an active email account. The visitors will receive a confirmation email with the date and time of the video call after the authorities approve it. The visitors will also be notified of how much time they can spend on the call.

Separate detention facilities have been arranged in all prisons for this purpose. With this new system, prisoners have the privilege of seeing their own and talking to them despite being away from them.