Mysore/Mysuru: It was a memorable day  for 30 jail inmates serving life sentence, as they walked out of Mysuru Central Jail on Friday after being released from prison for good conduct.

The Government had recently ordered release of a total of 166 prisoners serving life sentence and lodged in jails across the State, on grounds of good conduct. Accordingly, 30 prisoners serving life sentence in Mysuru Central Prison, including 3 who completed 14 years in prison, 22 who were pardoned, 2 convicts aged above 65 years who completed 12 years in jail and 3 women who completed 10 years of their prison term, entered into a new world of life after being released.

Principal District and Sessions Court Judge M.L. Raghunath distributed release orders to the prisoners and gave them a farewell. Senior Civil Judge Devaraj Bhute, Mysuru Central Prison  Chief Superintendent K.C. Divyashree and others were present.

Speaking on the occasion, Judge Raghunath said that life sentence means that a convicted prisoner has to spend his entire life in Jail. But prisoners who show good conduct and those who are facing health issues are being released early out of special considerations. Such prisoners will be identified by a committee as per the guidelines laid out by the Government.

Following a Government order, 30 life convicts were released from Mysuru Central Prison, he said and asked those released to lead a new life of dignity and purpose in the future.

Chief Jail Superintendent Divyashree said that the process of release of prisoners started a year ago and now the Government has given nod for the list.

Pointing out that those released have got an opportunity to correct themselves and lead a decent life, she said she wished release of more prisoners who show good conduct while serving jail terms.

Referring to meeting of prisoners at jail by family members and relatives, Divyashree said that such contact meetings were stopped a year and half ago following the outbreak of COVID pandemic.

But as that the pandemic has subsided now, it has been decided to resume contact meetings of prisoners starting from Mar.21. The visitors will be allowed to meet prisoners for a specific duration only at the stipulated       time, she added.

The released prisoners included Gangothri Mahadeva of Lakshmikanthanagar, Chikkandani alias Andani of Hebbal First stage, Mantelingaiah of Rajendranagar in N.R. Mohalla, Nanja alias Nanju of Lakshmikanthanagar, Bhagyamma of Jayadevanagar in Metagalli, Chandramma of Lakshmikanthanagar, Prashanth of T.K. Layout and S. Puttanna of Alanahalli Layout, in the city.