Managing jail inmates having cultural and social diversities requires professional skills of high order on the part of officers and men of Prisons Department to acquit themselves honourably in the eyes of the society. The challenge is further compounded by manpower and financial constraints, ever increasing population of inmates who exhibit unique physical and mental needs on account of the fact that large number of inmates are young with unduly long periods of incarceration during trial period with virtually no social interface.

J&K Prisons Department has 14 functional jails at present and manages over two thousand five hundred inmates, majority of whom are facing trial in various courts. Our endeavour is to provide for a safe and secure correctional environment for the inmates so that they get easily absorbed in society after their release and are able to contribute positively. There is a shift in focus on periodical release of prisoners within legal framework to facilitate family contacts, developing skills of inmates in human resources and provision for adequate health care. A proposal for creation of semi-open jail in Jammu is also under consideration of Government. Efforts to modify Jail Manual to make policies and procedures more refined are also, afoot. While conveying my good wishes for the new year, I am confident that our targets shall be met effectively during the year with a clear road map towards larger goal of rehabilitation of jail inmates.