The Sikkim State Prison Head Quarters under the Home Department is situated at an altitude of around 6000 feet from sea level at Rongyek in East District about eight kilometers from the main capital town Gangtok. The Prison Administration in the State is headed by Deputy Inspector General of Police or Senior Superintendent of Police on deputation from the Police Department as Head of the Prison Administration who is assisted by the executive cum correctional officers consisting of the various ranks and files like Additional Superintendent of Police / Prisons, Jailor, Sub-Jailor, Assistant Sub-Jailor, Head Warder, Warders and Warder Drivers. The Prison Administration in the State consists of the following category of prisons.
1. Central Prisons, Rongyek is located in the premises of the Head Quarters having capacity to accommodate 136 inmates including 20 bedded double storey building for female prisoners. This centre facilitates for accommodation of convicts from all over the state and also UTP of North and East District. To minimize the threat of escape from custody, the top edged of outer security perimeter wall and the prisoners’ wards have been covered with razor edged fencing. The same proposal is under way for District Prison too. Due to cold weather owing to location of central prison at a higher altitude, this prison has been equipped with 4500 liters solar powered water heater and that prisoners are provided 24 hours running hot water.
The Prison Administration has taken up the uphill task of reformation, rehabilitation and reintegration of criminals back to society with an honest approach and challenge to reform the criminals in a befitting way by introducing the following vocational training.
a) Mushroom cultivation
b) Furniture making with Buddhist carving
c) Hand made tea
d) Bamboo crafts
e) Tailoring
f) Envelope making
g) Floriculture on orchids
h) Organic farming
i) Goatery
j) Dairy
k) Bakery
Apart from various vocational trades has also initiated various reformatory packages such as: -
i) Grant of maximum remissions based on excellent conducts and discipline
ii) Premature Release
iii) Wages earned by the inmates are allowed to be remitted to the needy family members
iv) Comedy movies are shown during holidays and Sundays
v) Indoor and outdoor games
vi) Library facilities
vii) Timely provision of legal aids
viii) Immediate medical attention on illness
ix) Free interactions with the members of the Board of Visitors
x) Uphold of human rights
xi) Visitor’s facilities.
A system of displaying culture program during the National Festivals has been introduced and more emphasis are being given for open public participations in any of the activities initiated in the prison complex.
2. There are two other District Prisons situated one at the District Head Quarter, Namchi, Boomtar having capacity to hold 60 under trial prisoners of South and West District and one at District Head Quarter, West Sikkim at Omchung having the same capacity which is likely to be made functional by the end of 2009. The District Prisons are headed by Superintendent of Police / Prisons on deputation from the Police Department and assisted by various executive staffs like that in the Central Prisons.
Welfare of Staffs
1. A sufficient staff quarters have been constructed.
2. The non gazetted officers and men are paid one month extra salary equally divided in twelve months at par with State Police Department.
3. The non gazetted officers and men are provided monthly Ration Allowance of Rs.400/- at par with State Police Department.
4. The pay structure of prison personnel is same as that of State Police Department.
5. The issuance of uniforms to prison personnel is in the pattern of State Police.
6. Nominations for award of President’s correctional services medal is being sent every year.
