PDLSA, NSLSA members along with the officials from District Jail Phek during the jail inspection-cum-legal awareness programme on April 10. (DIPR Photo)
Phek, April 12 (MExN): A jail inspection-cum-legal awareness programme was organised by the Phek District Legal Services Authority (PDLSA) in collaboration with the Nagaland State Legal Services Authority (NSLSA) at District Jail, Phek on April 10.
Member Secretary, NSLSA, Neiko Akami (NJS), in his address highlighted the importance of legal awareness and stressed the need to extend free legal aid to vulnerable groups.
He said inmates and convicts should be informed about the legal services available to them and encouraged to utilise such facilities.
Akami also stated that the purpose of the visit was to assess whether inmates are provided with basic facilities and to document the situation for submission to the competent authority for necessary action.
At present, District Jail Phek houses 11 convicts and eight undertrial prisoners, he informed.
Panel lawyer of PDLSA, Thomeweu, spoke on the topic “Early Release of Convicted Persons,” apprising inmates of their rights and entitlements and explaining relevant legal provisions.
She elaborated on the concept of parole and clarified that those convicted of serious offences such as terrorism, rape and murder are not eligible for early release.
Senior Superintendent of Central Jail Dimapur, Solezhol Neikha, also addressed the inmates, encouraging them to reflect on their actions and strive to become better individuals.
He said that incarceration is not permanent and assured inmates that they would eventually be released, urging them to maintain faith and hope.
The programme was chaired by Luluta Rhakho and concluded with a mass benediction.
