The prisoners lodged in various jails in Maharashtra can speak to their family members over phone provided the cellphone/telephone number given by prisoners is registered in the name of their family members. If the prison administration gets the copy of the cellphone/telephone bill confirming that the number given by a prisoner indeed belongs to the family members he wishes to speak, police verification may not be needed.

Amitabh Gupta, Additional Director General of Police (Prisons and Correctional Services), has issued a circular in this regard to all subordinate Jail Superintendents in the State on May 8. The prisoners eligible for speaking with their family members may do so. If a prisoner wishes to speak to his family member, he will have to give cellphone/telephone number and the prison administration will call bill to ascertain if the given cellphone/telephone number belongs to family member of that prisoner. “Proper use of this facility will increase communication between prisoners and their relatives. Also, this will create a good feeling about prison administration among them, which will ultimately help in correction and rehabilitation of prisoners,” stated the circular.

Already, as per the circular dated February 15, 2023, facility regarding use of telephone by the prisoners has been increased. Many prisoners are eligible for interview/communication with their family members. They are allowed to

speak to their family members only after police verification of the cellphone/telephone number of their family members. However, sources said, there is a delay on part of Police Department in providing police verification of prisoners. As a result, there is delay in prisoners getting connected to their family members. Hence, the State Prison Administration has taken the decision to secure a bill confirming that the cellphone/telephone number given by a prisoner as his family member’s, is registered in the name of the said family member.