Kottayam: Often family members face several hassles in their attempts to meet their kin serving prison terms. The number of days and even minutes for a direct interaction is limited. In a significant move, the Kerala Prisons Department has lifted several restrictions in this regard with riders.

Hereafter, prisoners are allowed two or more meetings a week with relatives, friends, or lawyers. A meeting will be allowed for half an hour.

If the jail superintendent allows, additional time will be allotted. A maximum number of five people can meet with a prisoner. The curbs on sending letters too have been eased.

The meeting with unpunished criminal prisoners should be visible to the jail officer. However, their conversation should not be heard by the jail officer. The presence of the jail officer is not needed in the meeting between the prisoners in civil cases with their relatives and friends.