Under the direction of Jharkhand Chief Minister Hemant Soren, the State Sentence Revision Council convened in Ranchi, resulting in the decision to release 51 prisoners serving life sentences across the state. The meeting, held at the Chief Minister’s residential office, also addressed 37 new release requests and revisited the cases of 66 inmates previously denied release.
The meeting was attended by several key officials, including the Additional Chief Secretary to the Chief Minister, the Principal Secretary of the Home, Jail, and Disaster Management Department, the DGP, and other leading figures in the correctional services.
Following the recommendations of the State Sentence Revision Council, Chief Minister Hemant Soren and officials deliberated on the proposal to release 103 inmates serving life sentences. Each inmate’s case was meticulously reviewed, with the Chief Minister personally gathering comprehensive details before making any decisions. Ultimately, the Chief Minister approved the release of 51 inmates, considering their age, family circumstances, social backgrounds, and educational qualifications.
The authorities are committed to linking the released inmates with social security schemes. Inmates with medical and mental health concerns will be provided with necessary care to assist in their transition back into society. The decision to release such inmates will be based on their medical reports.
The meeting also prioritized the release of inmates who had served 14 years or more, were of advanced age, and demonstrated good behavior. Officials were instructed to help the released inmates build successful lives after their release.
Since 2019, a total of 619 inmates have been released following the State Sentence Revision Council meetings. The department has completed physical verification of 558 inmates. Physical verification of 61 inmates is still pending. The Chief Minister was informed that 470 of the released inmates since 2019 have been integrated into various government schemes, including old age pensions, widow pensions, ration cards, Ayushman cards, the Pradhan Mantri Awas Yojana, and the MNREGA e-Shram card. Efforts are currently underway to ensure all eligible released inmates receive the benefits of government social security programs.