Faridkot, July 9
Parole, it seems, is being used as an escape route by jailbirds in Punjab. Sample this: From January 1, 2005 to July 6, 2011, over 300 prisoners, who were out on parole, did not return to their respective jails even after their parole term expired. While the police managed to re-arrest over 100 fugitives, the remaining 200 are absconding.

Many of these prisoners allegedly committed serious crimes while being out on parole. In a recent case, an Akali leader and his brother were allegedly murdered in Moga by a convicted drug smuggler Gurjant Singh, who was out on parole from the Ferozepur Central Jail. Gurjant was declared a fugitive after he did not return to jail after his parole expired on May 13.

Six months ago, the Ludhiana police nabbed a wanted criminal who had jumped parole, eloped with a girl and allegedly committed many robberies.

The records of Ferozepur jail reveals that 43 prisoners, convicted of serious crimes under the NDPS Act, murder and rioting did not surrender even after expiry of their parole period.

While 34 of these are absconding, 9 were re-arrested. In Ludhiana Central Jail, 46 prisoners jumped parole. While 25 were brought to jail after their re-arrest, 21 were at large. The story in Bathinda, Amritsar, Faridkot, Jalandhar, Nabha and Sangrur jails is no different.

“While parole is to humanise the prison system, a large number of criminals have abused this facility,” said an official. It is not only the male prisoners who are abusing the system. In Ludhiana, three women convicts jumped their parole and never returned to jail. Even two juvenile criminals escaped from Borstal jail in Ludhiana using the parole route.

Tejinder Singh Maur, superintendent Faridkot jail, said jumping parole is a serious offence. “Only in a genuine case, we allow a delay of not more than 10 days to a prisoner on parole to surrender,” Maur said.

JP Singh, chief probationer officer of jails in Punjab, had no clue about the status of such cases in the state. “It is better if you contact the IG (Prisons),” he said. Jagjit Singh, the IG, did not respond to repeated calls of this correspondent.

The misuse of parole in Punjab found a mention in the Comptroller and Auditor General (CAG) report three years ago. After six months of jail stay, every prisoner is entitled to a four-week parole. As per the Punjab Good Conduct Prisoner (Temporary Release) Act, parole is allowed only after the recommendation of the District Magistrate and the SSP. But it is said politicians and influential persons play a decisive role in granting parole permission.

When the parole is allowed, there are some guarantors, securities and surety bonds. “The amount to be forfeited in case a prisoner jumps parole is just Rs 50,000. It’s not an effective security and surety,” says Ravi Bhagat, DC Faridkot.