Soaring Wings

Aizawl: Mizoram Home Minister, Mr. R. Lalzirliana recently turned moral science teacher during his talks on jail reforms when he said that jails were not a place for punishment. (CAST YOUR VOTE BELOW: What is the main purpose of Jail)

“The main objective of the Jail is correction of criminals for their normal living in the society,” he said while addressing a training for Jail staff in Information Department’s Auditorium on Sept 1.

Zonet quoted the the Home Minister as saying: “Jail is not a place of punishment and what the worker should do is to try to change the mindset of the criminals to enable them to live normal life in the civil society.”

The Minister stated that a remote state like Mizoram now faces problems of global diseases like HIV/AIDS and Cancer, which are spreading despite efforts taken by the government. He demonstrated that prison should not be a place of punishment but of reformation. The Home Minister said that he wanted prisons in Mizoram to be clean in order to level with prisons in developed countries. He welcomed the UNODC in the steps taken for prevention of HIV/AIDS in Mizoram and stated that he is hoping for collaboration in more areas.

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The training organized by UNODC Regional Office for South Asia was presided over by the Home Secretary, Mr. Lalmalsawma.

Ms. Cristina Albertin explained the problems faced by North East India against smuggling of drugs from the Golden Triangle and the challenges for Mizoram regarding smuggling and health implications. She mentioned that drug trafficking and human trafficking are trans-national organized crime, and reiterated the need for comprehensive and balanced approach to drugs production, trafficking and abuse. Ms. Albertin stated that 5 district jails in Mizoram will participate in the training for prison staffs and inmates. She said that complex issues such as ART treatment and Counselling should be focussed upon, and the training will be beneficial to treat the inmates to be accepted in the normal society.

Dr. Eric Zomawia, Project Director, Mizoram State AIDS Control Society (MSACS) described the support of Joint United Nations programme in the ongoing Mizoram State AIDS Control Programme. Dr. Chawnglungmuana, Project Officer, SHALOM also explained the importance of prison intervention and the steps taken by SHALOM since 2002.

Earlier, Ms. Christina Albertin met the Home Minister Pu R. Lalzirliana and the Home Commissioner Pu Lalmalsawma in their Office Chambers and had also visited the Central Jail. She discussed AIDS/HIV issues and drugs problems with representatives of NGOs. Yesterday she also had a meeting with the Commissioner of Excise & Narcotics Pu Lalbiakmawia Khiangte where she lauded the Department’s work ethos. The Excise Commissioner also presented her a copy of the documentary ‘Drug Scenario in Mizoram’ produced by the Department.