more-in As many as 311 life convict prisoners have been released so far from State prisons on the occasion of the birth centenary of former Chief Minister M.G. Ramachandran, while 1,189 prisoners are to be released in the coming months after examining each case individually, prison officials said. The government considered the requests of various sections of society for releasing life convicts who have completed 10 years, and has also taken into consideration the legal aspects of the orders of Supreme Court. Guidelines followed Additional Director General of Police and Inpector General of Prisons Ashutosh Shukla told The Hindu: “The government framed guidelines for considering the cases of life convicts to allow them to get out of prison before their sentence runs out. Committees were constituted for examining the premature release of prisoners. We are releasing the prisoners who fulfil the criteria, in a phased manner.” Life convicts who have completed 10 years of actual imprisonment as on February 25, 2018; life convicts aged 60 years and above; and those who have completed five years of actual imprisonment on February 25, including those who were originally sentenced to death by the trial court and subsequently the sentence was modified to to life by an Appellate Court, are considered for premature release, subject to the satisfaction of conditions. Behaviour matters The prisoner’s behaviour should be satisfactory. Prisoners convicted of rape, forgery, robbery, dacoity, offences against the State, rioting, escape, or attempting to escape from lawful custody, counterfeit of currency notes, cruelty against women or dowry death, economic offences and selling illicit arrack with poisonous substances are not eligible for premature release. Prisoners convicted and sentenced under Central Act of offences are ineligible. Mr. Shukla added that the guidelines issued by the government prohibit the release of persons who were convicted under the Protection of Children from Sexual Offences Act, 2012. Life convicts who have completed 20 years of imprisonment on the cut-off date are also considered for premature release. The cases of medical infirmities are considered for release based on recommendations from the State medical board. The premature release of the prisoners is a one-time affair and it will not be extended to others who fulfil all conditions. The premature release is not a matter of right for prisoners, the officials clarified.

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