Over 6,000 prisoners are lodged in a total of 54 jails, including three central jails in the state of Kerala. Owing to the increasing number of COVID-19 cases in jails, the government has granted parole to as many as 568 prisoners, lodged in various prisons across the state. It is reported that 932 other convicted prisoners will be released temporarily, while around 350 remand prisoners would be freed on interim bail soon.

The decision comes days after the Supreme Court of India had directed to decongest the prisons amid the COVID crisis. A committee, that includes High Court justice CT Ravi Kumar, health department secretary TK Jose, jail DGP Rishiraj Singh, formed as per the directive of the top court, directed to release the prisoners immediately. Men above 60 years and women above 50 years who have no criminal background, convicted on a single case and those imprisoned for less than 7 years are being considered for parole. Meanwhile, no relaxation will be given to prisoners who are convicted for drug abuse and anti-national activities.

"Thus, over 1,500 prisoners, including 568 people released on parole the other day, will get temporary relief. Besides them, around 350 remand prisoners may also be released on interim bail," the Jail DGP said. It may be remembered that earlier too during the first wave of COVID-19, the government granted parole to the prisoners in the state.