‘Nagaland has one of the most manageable prison systems in India’

SCLSC, DDLSA, KAL Group visit Central Jail Dimapur

Dimapur, August 30 (MExN): Mezivolu T Therieh, Registrar, Supreme Court of India and secretary Supreme Court Legal Services Committee (SCLSC) today said that according to official statistics by Union Ministry of Home Affairs, “Nagaland has one of the most manageable prison systems in India in terms of occupancy as well as workforce.”

“The overall prison occupancy rate in Nagaland as of 31 December, 2019 according to the 'Prison Statistics India 2019 released by the National Crime Records Bureau was 30.8% which is the best among states,” she said while speaking during the visit of SCLSC along with Dimapur District Legal Service Authority (DDLSA) and The KAL Group to Central Jail Dimapur on August 30. The purpose of the visit was to take an appraisal of convicts and to extend legal services to the convicted inmates.

Nagaland has filled 99.49% of the sanctioned post as staff strength in its jails as on December 31, 2019, Therieh said.

Supreme Court Legal Services Committee

She said that SCLSC is a statutory body constituted under Section 3A of the Legal Services Authorities Act, 1987 which came into existence w.e.f 01.01.1996 through a notification issued by Government of India.

“It provides free legal services to the eligible applicants to represent them before the Hon'ble Supreme Court and also renders legal advice as and when required,” she said. 

As much as others, accused convicts are also entitled to Human Rights and hence we need to develop a robust system towards helping these convicts in having ready, informed and expeditious access, she said.

For facilitating informed access to those languishing in jails and want to approach Supreme Court Legal Services Committee for free legal Services, they may apply through either of these modes; applying through HCLSC; applying through SCLSC website and sending application through Prison Superintendent. 

“We should make our best endeavour in helping them in atleast ensuring that they have access to the legal aid at Supreme Court level at the earliest,” she said.

She said that SCLSC has a process of mandatory video conferencing between the legal aid applicant and the concerned advocate assigned by the Committee before the filling of matter and if required at later stages of the case so that their case is taken with utmost care and caution represented before the Apex Court which the last Judicial resort in the temple of justice.

It is also seen that there is in adequate sensitization among the convicts of their right to legal aid before the Supreme Court. 

“It is my request to all concerned officials and employees of the prison department to make them aware of their right in helping them realize the real motto of legal aid institutions which is "Access to justice for all," she added.

The KAL Group extends literacy prog

Limasenla, Advocate, The KAL Group, highlighted about its involvement in literacy program for under privileged children and also in other social welfare activities and that the KAL group had also tied up with Sarvahitey – an NGO working for charitable purposes and establishing Library project across India to serve as educational and cultural centers.

KAL Group is an association of litigation lawyers based in Nagaland. Since, 2017 the group through its collaboration has established libraries in the districts of Nagaland.

More than 25 libraries have reached the communities, schools and jails including Central Jail and District Jail in Dimapur.

KAL Group also took up pro bono cases for victims of violence for women and children and represents as legal advisor with Nagaland Alliance for Children and Women Rights.

Dr. Oben, Jailor, Central Jail and Z. Lotha, Senior Superintendent of Jail, Dimapur also delivered short speech. Earlier, Tonika Shohe, panel lawyer DDLSA delivered welcome address while BP Resu, Chief Judicial Magistrate (I/C) and Secretary DDLSA gave closing remark.