9 Star Facility For Free : All Un-Lawful & Criminal Indians invited at Central Jail Colvale, Goa.
When the fear of Prison fails to deter a criminal, no other form of deterrence is going to work.
On Dusshera festival, the inmates of Central Jail Colvale, burned a huge effigy of Raavan, adorned with crackers. It is the only Jail in the state of Goa and houses numerous hardened and hardcore criminals who are serving time for horrible crimes.
For the fact that, it was made possible after the official allowance of the Jailor or Jail Superintendent; an act which is in total contravention to “Goa Prison Rules” raises a hurricane of doubt at the state of governance in Goa.
After this incident, the author of this article was discussing it with a local resident let’s say “M”; who told about another person (from outside state) who served a few years in Colgate prison, while being under-trial in judicial custody. This person was a peddler and was caught with huge amount of Narcotics in his possesion.
“M” told that, the peddler had access to his phone from the very second day while at Colvale Jail. Virtually free to use, this peddler used to had long conversation with his family, who used to stay just a few metres from M’s abode. The peddler would have regular supply of Best Food, Fruits and Liquor from his family members, thanks to his access to mobile phone.
The Peddler had his stay at Colvale Central Jail, almost “9 Star”, considering the freedom and allowances allowed to him in the State Penteniary.
Colvale Central Jail was built at an expense of Rs.72 Crores of tax-payers money, was supposed to be a “Modern Jail”. With modern facilities which could facilitate the reformation of inmates, it is supposed to have CCTV surveillance. But, what happens there every then and now, suggests that inmates are having all the fun at the expense of chequer funded by common man’s taxes.
Goa Prison Rules came into force on 15th July 2021 and is an exhaustive document of 324 pages and lists all “Do & Don’t” for Prison inmates, as well as officials. Anyone, who reads the news about Central Jail Colvale in media, would immediately start laughing, after reading a few pages of the document.
The Prison Rules 2021 has been reduced to a complete mockery, because the officials who are tasked to reform the inmates, are themselves breaking all the rules and regulations.
How could an upholder of law (supposedly), is able to break the law; is supposed to bring any change in the attitude of the prisoners?
India Justice Report 2022 has aptly reflected how Goa is unsafe for all, due to poor infrastructure, lack of accountability and non-adherence to rules by State Government, which governs Goa Police.
In every surprise raid by IG Prisons, huge numbers of mobile devices and other contraband circumstances, including narcotics are found. When the raid is repeated, just after a couple of days, the number of mobile devices remains the same; which talks about the most proficient replenishment in any Prison, anywhere else in the world.
There have been petty fights with inmates, sometimes very serious, akin to a Gang war. There have been fights over the quantity of non-veg meals being served.
The rise in crimes in Goa in some very recent past amplifies the disturbing fact that the fear for Law Enforcement agencies, has vanished in thin air. The spate of murders, attempts to murder, theft, burglary and sexual harassment in news everyday are the fact.
Prison attempts to be a constant reminder that for all unlawful elements or breaker of laws and rules; that if they commit a crime, they would be incarcerated and their term in the prison would be very tough; and they shall regret the stay their every minute and thus the crime committed.
Now, let us look at the events that have unfolded at Central Jail Colvale in recent pasts and dwell, would the fear of incarceration would ever come to the mind of a criminal before committing crime; knowingly very well, that as long as he has money; all he would be missing is not stepping out of 4-Walls of the prison at will.
When there is no fear of Goa Police on the street, and then there is no fear of Prison in the minds of a criminal, how would the rising crime situation would improve in the state is just a pure common sense question!
The only way to decrease the crime rate in Goa, is to install the fear of law enforcement in the minds of criminals, starting with a very hard and tough stay at Central Jail Colvale; where no favours are granted to inmates out of commission.
Colvale Central Jail today functions as a “9 Star” resort for all unlawful elements and to those who have no adherence to the rule of law. One can comfortably enjoy their stay there, with all facilities almost, provided one is connected or have enough money.
When Prison fails to deter, no other deterrence works for a criminal.
This is when rate of conviction of crimes in Goa is the poorest in the country.Sadly, with no credible solution in sight, Goa would have to bear with crimes, with grime faces.Is this is the “Model Goa” which the politicians have been preaching to one and all, that we want to be witness to?