Awareness on prisoners’ rights held at Kiphire district jail

DIMAPUR — The Jail Visiting Committee comprising Neiko Akami, member secretary of Nagaland State Legal Services Authority (NSLSA); K Hamtok Phom, DIG (Prisons); Solezhol Neikha, Superintendent of Central Jail Dimapur; and Holika Sukhalu, secretary of Kiphire District Legal Services Authority (KDLSA) conducted a legal awareness programme on prisoners’ rights at District Jail in Kiphire on Friday.

An update from NSLSA stated that the committee inspected all sections of the jail premises and interacted with both under-trial prisoners (UTP) and convicts on matters relating to their grievances and infrastructural concerns.

Following the inspection, the committee made recommendations for repair and renovation of all prisoner wards, proper and complete electrical wiring in all sections and installation of European commode in the female ward.

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It stated that a formal legal awareness programme was also held within the jail premises chaired by Ayiala Imti, chief legal aid defence counsel (LADC).

During the programme, a new computer set, donated by the Nagaland State Cooperative Bank Ltd., Kiphire branch, was handed over to the district jail. The equipment was formally handed over by a representative of the bank to the jail authorities through the DIG (Prisons).

The keynote address was delivered by Holika Sukhalu, secretary of KDLSA, who emphasised the importance of reformation and rehabilitation through legal awareness and skill-building initiatives.

Resource person and panel lawyer, Limkhushi Thongliu, has highlighted key provisions relating to prisoners’ rights, access to legal aid under the law. It stated that the session was well received by the 11 inmates currently lodged in the facility.

Also speaking at the programme, Neiko Akami encouraged the inmates to be aware of their rights and assured them that their concerns has been heard and would be taken up appropriately. He also explained the role and functioning of legal services institutions in the district, state and national levels.

In conclusion, Akami urged the KDLSA team to continue their dedicated efforts towards ensuring that access to justice, rehabilitation and reformation are extended even to those behind bars. He also expressed gratitude to the Nagaland State Cooperative Bank Ltd., Kiphire branch, for the generous contribution and continued support to social welfare initiatives.

The programme concluded with an interactive session, where inmates shared their thoughts and experiences, reaffirming the importance of institutional collaboration in promoting reformation, rehabilitation and justice for all.