Jail inmates heave a sigh of relief

BANGALORE: Most of the short-term convict prisoners at the Parappana Agrahara Central Prison heaved a sigh of relief after the jail authorities saved them from the harassment by a few lifetime convicts.The lifetime convicts allegedly threatened them to join in the protest demanding early release of lifers on compassionate grounds.Following a report published in The New Indian Express on Thursday, the prison officials cracked down on lifers who allegedly forced short-term convicts to participate in the strike and stopped them from working in kitchen and other departments.The short-term convicts, who were on a protest for more than a week, were deprived of wages.The officials of the central prison have taken action to free the short-term convicts.They were made to work in the various departments of the prison. Since the protest started, inmates were not doing the duties forcing the prison staff to work on behalf of convicts.The prison’s Chief Superintendent, T H Lakshiminarayana, said that the lifers who allegedly threatened short-term convicts were warned of serious action.“We convinced the shortterm convicts about the problems they would face during the time of their release by taking part in the protests. We also asked them appear for the work without any fear and they are working as usual from Thursday,” he added.Prison inmates are reportedly collecting money from convicts claiming they will be released. “During meetings, he demanded and collected about `40,000 from convicts convincing them that he needed the money to lobby for their release. But, his plan is to use that money for a lavish parole expenses,” the official added.