Chapter – 10

Rehabilitation and Welfare of Prisoners

The reformation and rehabilitation of offenders is the ultimate objective of prison administration. In pursuance to meet this objective, many States/UTs under direction and supervision of Central Government have been taking number of initiatives in the field of rehabilitation and welfare of prison inmates.

Central Government through Ministry of Home Affairs is running various schemes not only for improvement of prison infrastructure with emphasis on hygiene condition, but also organizing national as well as international conferences on correctional administration for sensitization of prison staff. The Ministry of Home Affairs has framed ‘Model Prison Manual (2016)’.

As prison is State subject, hence

overall supervision and management of prisons is under direct control of State Government / UT Administrations. Various good practices adopted/ shared by the States/UTs have been summarised under following two broad heads:

A. Rehabilitation and welfare B. Grievances

A. Rehabilitation and welfare

Some good initiatives adopted by States/UTs towards rehabilitation and welfare of prisoners are summarised below under following head:

I. Education Educating jail inmates not only

provides a corrective approach to the psyche of the offender but also goes a long way in developing a responsive and

respectful attitude in them towards the society.

A total of 1,30,443 prisoners had been educated in the country during the year 2016. Out of the total prisoners educated, 54,776 prisoner were provided Elementary education, 53,965 prisoners were educated in Adult education, 12,923 prisoners in higher education and 8,779 prisoners were educated in the field of Computers (Table 10.1).

The States of Telangana, Uttar Pradesh

& Andhra Pradesh has reported that 19,176, 10,514 and 4,418 prisoners were educated in field Elementary education. The States of Telangana, Madhya Pradesh and Uttar Pradesh has reported that 10,103, 9,150 and 6,573 prisoners were educated in field Adult education. The States of Telangana, Uttar Pradesh & Gujarat has reported that 2,452, 2,354 and 1,083 prisoners were educated in field of Higher education. State/ UT wise such details may be seen in Table 10.1.

A snapshot of good initiatives

undertaking by States/UTs in the field of education are discussed below: (i) Educational Program in States

1. Andhra Pradesh: Education is imparted to all prisoners from basic formal education upto Post Graduation in coordination with Dr. B.R. Ambedhkar Open University and Indira Gandhi National Open University.

2. Assam: Educational programme imparted to the inmates with the

209

help of Indira Gandhi National Open University and Krishna Kanta Handique State Open University and total 274 numbers of Prisoners were provided functional literacy.

3. Bihar: A regular literacy programmes under the captioned name “PRERNA” is being conducted in all jails for the illiterate prisoners. During the year, a large number of illiterate and semi-literate inmates were enrolled and got benefited by the scheme. With the help or academic institutions such as IGNOU, NIOS, NOU and BBOSE various Educational programmes running in Bihar Prisons: -

P.G.J.M.C M.A M.C.A M.L.I.S Bachelor's Prepatory Programme B.A C.I.C B.C.A B.L.I.S C.C.N.A(Networking) 10+2 /Intermediate &10th *P.G.J.M.C - Post graduate diploma journalism and mass communication. *M.L.I. S - Master of Library and Information science. *M.J.M.C - Master in journalism and mass communication. *C.I.C - Certificate in computing. *B.L.I. S - Bachelor of library and information science.

4. Goa: Literacy classes and higher education is being provided to inmates.

5. Haryana: IGNOU (Indira Gandhi

National Open University) Centers have set up in the Central Jail, Ambala, District Jail Sirsa, Karnal, Gurgaon and Faridabad to enable the prison inmates to study and acquire higher qualifications after 10+2 so as to provide them better employment opportunities after the release from the jails. Further National Institute of Open Schooling (NIOS) centers have been opened at all jails (except Panipat, Palwal and Rewari which are very small and have population of 30 to 50 prisoners only) to enable the prison inmates to get education up to 10+2 level.

6. Jammu & Kashmir: Education facilities through IGNOU are being provided to the inmates.

7. Jharkhand: Following programmes are being operated in the field of education:

Adult Literacy programme for illiterate prisoners.

Sarv-Sikha Abhiyan for the dropouts.

Secondary & Senior Secondary Examination for 10th & 12th through National Institute of Open Schooling (NIOS). Examination centres are in prisons.

Higher Education through IGNOU in Central jails, Ranchi, Dumka &District Jail Deoghar.

Computer Literacy Programme for prisoners.

210

8. Karnataka: State is providing education opportunity to the inmates to continue their education through various open universities etc. IGNOU, KSOU etc. and also provide primary education classes.

9. Maharashtra: Primary education classes and computers aided adult education is being provided to the inmates

10. Manipur: Primary education to the inmates of Manipur Central Jail, Imphal was carried out by a teacher of jail Department. An IGNOU study centre for providing proper education to the inmates of Manipur Central Jail, Sajiwa was usually being run. There were 17 prisoners enrolled in the IGNOU centre. The inmates are allowed to appear various examinations conducted by the BSEM, COSEM etc.

11. Odisha: Literacy campaign has been launched in all jails. Full times teachers have been appointed in 5 central jails, 9 district jails, 2 special jails and 6 special sub jails and women jail to impart primary education to illiterate prisoners. Special attention is being given to the interested prisoners to prosecute their studies with the Board of Secondary Education Odisha. Universities and Distance Education under National Institute of Open Schooling (IGNOU).

12. Tamil Nadu: In order to achieving 100% literacy amongst the Prison inmates, a programme has been launched in co-ordination with the

Ministry of Human Resource Development, Government of India and the Education Department of Tamil Nadu. Indira Gandhi National Open University is also conducting various courses for the benefit of the prisoners.

Mahatma Gandhi Community Colleges approved by the Tamil Nadu Open University have been established in all the Central Prisons, Special Prisons for Women and Borstal School, Pudukkottai. Education being imparted is categorized based on the level of individual attainment as (i) Primary level (ii) Elementary School level (iii) Higher Secondary level (iv) Graduation and Post-Graduation through Open Universities and (v) Diploma and Degree courses to impart useful job-oriented skills to the inmates. The services of the educated inmates are utilized for teaching.

Elementary Schools are functioning with qualified teachers in all Central Prisons / Special Prisons for Women and Borstal School, Pudukkottai. Distance Education facility is provided to the prisoners at Government cost.

13. Uttar Pradesh: An initiative title “Women Bandi Niketan” has been setup in Lucknow: The prisoners are being educated under the comprehensive scheme “Sab Padhe, Sab Badhe” in Women Bandi Niketan.

14. Uttarakhand: A Special Study Center has been set up in the

211

District Jail, Haridwar, Dehradun and Sub-jail Haldwani by the National Open University Organization (NIOS) for the prisoners detained in prisons, and Computer education is being provided by the Vedanta Foundation.

15. West Bengal: With the aim to achieve 100% literacy among the inmate population, this Directorate has taken up Project “SANDEEPAN” – the inmate literacy programme in Correctional Homes of West Bengal. The Tata Consultancy Services, Kolkata is working as the knowledge partner in this project under their Corporate Social Responsibility (CSR) programme. This Directorate has also taken up initiative for setting up of special study centres at different Correctional Homes under the guidance of IGNOU. These study centres will act as nodal centres for different academic courses conducted by IGNOU.

16. A & N Islands: This department is conducting various educational programmes and helping the prisoners to improve their standard of education.

(ii) Library Facility in Prisons

1. Andhra Pradesh: Libraries have been opened in all Central Prisons/District Jails/Sub Jails with a view to enable the prisoners acquire knowledge besides diverting their mind from criminal attitude. All daily newspapers, Novels and Magazines are made

available at libraries for the use of all prisoners.

2. Karnataka: Library facility has been provided in the various jails of Karnataka.

3. Maharashtra: Books (religious, social), newspapers have been provided to the prisoners.

4. Tamil Nadu: The prisoners are also availing the facility of borrowing books from the Libraries in the Prisons. Thus these facilities not only provide recreation, but also help to improve the mental health of the prisoners.

II. Health

State/UTs have taken various

measures to improve health care and sanitation, promote Swachh Bharat Abhiyan and Yoga and Meditation among prison inmates. A snapshot of such initiatives are discussed below:

(i) Health Care & Sanitation 1. Andhra Pradesh: Medical camps

are being organised in the State Prisons of Andhra Pradesh.

Women prisoners are being provided Sanitary Napkins.

It is not un-common that prisoners suffer from water-borne diseases very often. With a view to protect their health by supplying purified drinking water, R.O. Water Plants have been installed in all Jails including Sub Jails and Special Sub Jails.

212

2. Bihar: Hospital Management System (HMS) are available in Prison hospitals with doctor scheduling and tracking the treatment history of a prisoner.

Registration of all the OPD and IPD patients and distribution of medicine amongst them.

The record of all the medicines in stock is maintained. Record of purchase and distribution of medicines is maintained.

Doctor’s attendance is also recorded.

Based on need, in the course of the treatment of a prisoner, the module provides access to his/ her past medical history of the prisoner. It is used to prepare a detailed prescription for prisoner based on his medical history.

Bed capacity in Medical care unit is kept according to the strength of the inmates lived in ward. For each medical care unit dresser and compounders are available. Where in emergency inmates as well as children’s (Staying with Female prisoners) can be treated or medically examined in any Day or Night time.

3. Jharkhand: Mandatory Health Screening of all newly admitted prisoners has been provisioned by the State.

Patient prisoners are provided treatment in jail hospitals. If required they are also referred to district sadar hospital, medical college & hospitals (RIMS etc.) and even to AIIMS, New Delhi.

Prison hospitals have been upgraded with facilities like X-ray machine, ECG, pathology etc.

4. Karnataka: Health Camps – eye, skin, dental cardiac, HIV/AIDS, General Health Check camps are organised in the various prisons of the state to ensure the good health of the prisoners.

5. Maharashtra: Telemedicine facility started in the Prison department. Due to this facility prisoner are being treated by Doctor of Civil Hospital.

6. Manipur: Regular physical training programme were conducted for the inmates of Manipur Central Jail, Imphal. One GYM donated by a well-wisher was opened to provide physical fitness for inmates of Manipur Central Jail, Sajiwa where about 140 prisoners are using it every day turn by turn.

The prisoners were sensitized on health issues like HIV and drugs abuse etc. time to time.

7. Nagaland: Health care of prisoners such as periodic visit by District Aids Control Society (DACS) and National Leprosy Eradication Programme (NLEP) and revised National Tuberculosis Control Programme (RNTCP) has been introduced by the State.

8. Odisha: Heath Awareness programmes are being conducted by the state on regular basis inside the prison.

213

9. Tamil Nadu: To ensure availability of purified water for the prisoners, State Government have sanctioned a sum of Rs.51.75 lakhs in G.O.Ms.No.943, Home (Prison-IV) Department, dated 22.12.2015 towards the purchase and installation of Reverse Osmosis (RO) Plants with accessories with a capacity of 1000 litres per hour in 9 Central Prisons and 500 litres per hour in 3 Special Prisons for Women at Puzhal, Vellore and Tiruchirappalli for safe and pure water.

All the Central Prisons and Special Prisons for Women hospitals are well-equipped to meet the medical needs of the prisoners. In these hospitals, experienced doctors supported by adequate para-medical staff for the treatment the prisoners have been provisioned. Prisoners who need specialized inpatient care are admitted in the Prison Hospitals.

Ambulances are provided to all the Central Prisons, Special Prisons for Women. Clinical Laboratories, Electro Cardiogram, Auto-Blood Analyzer, Ophthalmoscope, Glucometer and Portable X-Ray equipment have been provided to the Central Prisons to carry out diagnostic tests. Periodical Medical Camps are conducted to screen all the prisoners for specific type of health problems.

Furthermore, in order to address the specialized medical requirements of prisoners, transit facility for shifting the prisoners in

other hospital / specialized hospital outside the prison have been provisioned. Prisoners of 4 District Jails (Srivaikundam, Nagercoil, Virudhunagar and Dindigul), 8 Women Sub Jails (Thuckalai, Paramakudi, Nilakottai, Mettupalayam, Krishnagiri, Cuddalore, Thiruvarur and Lalgudi) and 2 Special Sub Jails (Kokkirakulam, Salem) have transited the prisoners requiring specialized treatment in the hospitals located outside the Prisons.

As a health care measure, smoking and use of tobacco have been banned in the Prisons. Integrated Counselling and Testing Centres (ICTC) are established in all the Central Prisons for checking H.I.V. among inmates. The inmates of Central Prisons are subjected to undergo H.I.V. test after due counselling. In addition to this, Directly Observed Treatment Strategy Centres (DOTS) are established in all Central Prisons to eradicate T.B. among the prisoners.

Furthermore, as a welfare measure for prisoners, life-saving equipment have been installed in Ambulances in the Central Prison-I, Puzhal and in the Central Prison, Madurai. Further basic medical equipment have been purchased and utilized for Special Sub Jail, Salem, Special Prison for Women, Tiruchirappalli and Puzhal, Borstal School, Pudukkottai, Central Prisons, Coimbatore and Salem.

214

With a view to preventing contagious diseases among the prisoners usage of knife for shaving has been dispensed with. Now two disposable shaving razors are provided to the prisoners once in a month at a cost of Rs.43.68 lakhs per annum.

In addition to the above measures, existing sanitation facilities have been improved in Prisons at a cost of Rs.3.60 crores so as to protect the prisoners from any communicable diseases.

Further, the Government have sanctioned a sum of Rs.2.19 crores in G.O.Ms.No.150, Home (Prison-IV) Department dated 10.02.2016 for the purchase of 13 types of life saving medical equipments for all the 9 Central Prisons, 3 Special Prisons for Women and Borstal School, Pudukkottai and also for the use in 30 Ambulances.

Prolonged confinement of the prisoners can cause increased stress levels. Higher stress manifests itself in violent behavior, depression as well as suicidal tendencies. Hence, Psychologists have been appointed in all Central Prisons, Special Prisons for Women and District Jails and Borstal School, Pudukkottai and their services are utilized to treat and counsel the prisoners suffering from depression and exhibiting violent behaviour. Counselling instills confidence in the depressed mind of the prisoners and bring forth trust in themselves, which eliminates Suicidal tendencies.

Prisoners to whom psychiatric treatment is required are facilitated to admit in the Government Institute of Mental Health, Chennai. The services of Psychiatrists from Government Hospitals are also utilized to take care of those mentally ill prisoners.

In order to ensure better upkeep of mental health of the mentally disturbed prisoners, 2 Counsellors are engaged in each Central Prison. In addition to counselling, activities like physical training, yoga and meditation, indoor and outdoor games are made available to the prisoners. At present, 19 Non-Government Organizations are engaged in these efforts.

At the time of admission and afterwards, women prisoners are examined by a lady Assistant Surgeon and the observations are recorded in the Medical Sheet. Priority is given to the day-to-day care of pregnant women. Gynecological examination is conducted and pre-natal and post-natal care is given according to the requirements of each case. Emergency Leave is granted to the pregnant prisoners for having delivery outside the Prisons. Sanitary Napkins are provided to the female prisoners free of cost.

10. Delhi: In order to maintenance of better healthcare of prisoners, UT Delhi has taken several good intiatives. Some of them are as under :

215

One Integrated Counseling and Testing Centre (ICTC) for HIV is functioning in Central jail Hospital from June 2008. ICTC (Integrated Counselling) status -2599 males and 70 females counselled, 2600 male & 70 female tested for HIV, 170 male & 7 female found positive for HIV.

Prisoners are referred to various Specialty and Super Specialty Hospitals for providing care as per Standing Orders. Nodal Officers are designated in 14 Hospitals of GNCTD & Safdarjung Hospital where prison inmates in need are referred. Also, Specialist Doctors in 08 Specialties are visiting Central jail Tihar to provide at door services. This has minimized outside referral.

Medical Camp was held by Delhi Medical in Central Jail No. 3 on 28.08.2016. Other health camps were held by AIIMS (Department of Dermatology and Venereology) in Central Jail No. 8/9 on 07.01.2016 and Eye Check-up camp on 26.11.2016 at Central Jail No. 4. At dispensary DJR a health camp was held by Saroj Hospital. Various NGOs also organized health check-up camps from time to time in Central Jail Tihar and also distributed spectacles.

Mental Health Unit formed for streamlining and effect delivery of mental health services. 86 inmates in Central Jail Hospital (CJ-3), 13 inmates in Female Jail (CJ-6) have been admitted in respective indoor ward/MI Room

for mental illness during the period 01.01.2016 to 31.12.2016.

Committee to examine terminally ill Patients has been constituted. This is provisioned for specific medical attention.

DOTS Therapy being

provided at all dispensaries of Jails as per RNTCP.

Complete Dental Unit has been setup in Central Jail Hospital, all jails (except Jail No. 7)

Pulse Polio immunization programs are carried out regularly as per Pulse Polio schedule of Delhi Government in CJ-6.

The prisoners suffering from various contagious diseases has been provisioned to keep separately.

Special Medical Diet for HIV/AIDS, Tuberculosis and other deserving inmates has been provided as per Standing Orders.

67 Doctors & 115 Nursing/Paramedical Staff deputed for Prison Health Care. Furthermore, 120 Bedded Hospital with Medicine, Surgery, TB and Psychiatric Wards and 120 Bedded De-addiction Centre (ISO Certification).

Round the clock Emergency Services have been provisioned in all Jails.

A Minor OT in Central Jail Hospital for minor surgical procedures has been established.

216

Investigation facilities for Biochemistry, Pathology, X-Ray and ECG are also available.

(ii) Swachh Bharat Abhiyan

1. Haryana: In tune with the campaign “Swachh Bharat, Swachh Haryana” the Government have started the “Swachh Haryana Jails” Campaign.

2. Delhi: The objectives of Swachh Bharat Abhiyan, as propagated by the Prime Minister, have been adopted across Delhi Prisons with a lot of vigour and enthusiasm. Besides keeping the surroundings clean, emphasis is also laid on personal hygiene of inmates, both men and women. The scheme has been enthusiastically adopted by one and all. Special drives to ensure cleanliness and disposal of old records have been undertaken. Delhi Prisons has enthusiastically taken up the mantle of adopting the Swachh Bharat Abhiyan initiative of the Hon`ble Prime Minister.

(iii) Yoga and Meditation

1. Andhra Pradesh: To keep the prisoners physically and mentally fit State Prison Department has introduced Yoga & Meditation facility in prisons. Prisoners in the various jails of Andhra Pradesh are being encourage to do Yoga, Meditation, Drill etc. to ensure that they are always fit and healthy.

2. Assam: Rehabilitation programmes for prisoners in the field of yoga is being imparted in the various jails of Assam.

3. Bihar: Prisoners participate in yoga and other exercises and also there are Aerobic Centre for the prisoners in the various jails in Bihar.

4. Haryana: The prisoners are encouraged to participate in Yoga in the various jails of Haryana.

5. Jharkhand: Morning Yoga and Meditation programmes are being organised including Aerobic Centre for prisoners in various jails in Jharkhand.

6. Karnataka: Yoga and meditation courses for the prisoners are being organized with the help of NGO’s, charitable trust, religious leaders and institutions in the various jails in Karnataka.

7. Maharashtra: Yoga and meditation courses for the prisoners has been introduced with the help of NGO’s and charitable trust in the various jails in Maharashtra.

8. Nagaland: Conducting Yoga and Meditation every morning by the jail authority in various jails in Nagaland.

9. Odisha: Yoga practice for the prisoners has been conducted through different NGOs like Prajapita Brahmakumari Iswariya Viswa Vidyalaya. Patanjali Yoga Samiti, Art of living etc. for mental, psychological, spiritual and Sociological reforms.

10. Puducherry: Prisoners are being given training in Yoga in various jails of Puducherry.

217

11. Uttar Pradesh: District Jail Sitapur has initiated Yoga training and literacy programs for the intellectual upgradation of female prisoners and being run by the Social Services Agency.

12. Delhi: Delhi Prisons celebrated World Yoga Day. Delhi Prisons took this opportunity to conduct a one month yoga training program with the help of NGO Panchwati Yogashram for preparation of the World Yoga Day. A record breaking strength of more than 10,000 inmates participated simultaneously across Delhi Prisons on World Yoga Day. Yoga practice in all the jails continues and the aforementioned NGO is helping prepare some inmates to become professional yoga trainers, thus providing them with alternate employment avenues post their release.

III. Vocational Training

Training is one of the important

rehabilitation measurements in the field of prison reforms. Nowadays training of prisoners in various vocational skills in the Prison Institutions has received a lot of importance in almost all the States/UTs.

(i) Vocational Programs in States

A total of 57,939 prisons inmates were provided with various vocational training during the year 2016 (details can be seen in the Table 10.2 & Chart 10.1). State/UT-

wise analysis of vocational training imparted to prison inmates reveals that a good number of prison inmates benefitted by vocational training were in Delhi, Uttar Pradesh, Madhya Pradesh, Punjab, Haryana, Gujarat, Bihar, Jharkhand, Chhattisgarh and Andhra Pradesh. A total of 6,680 (11.5%), 6,503 (11.2%), 5,326 (9.2%), 4,594 (7.9%), 4,381 (7.6%), 4,271 (7.4%), 4,188 (7.2%), 3,297(5.7%), 2,908 (5.0%) and 2,820 (4.9%) inmates were benefitted with various vocational trainings in these States respectively during the year 2016.

(ii) Vocational Training - Profession

wise

The maximum number of prison inmates was trained in ‘weaving’ (7.7%) (4,441 out of 57,939) followed by ‘tailoring’ (6.5%) (3,775 out of 57,939), ‘carpentry’ (4.9%) (2,832 out of 57,939) and ‘agriculture’ (3.9%) (2,238 out of 57,939) (Chart 10.1 & Table-10.2).

State/UT-wise details reveal that the majority of training in agriculture activities were imparted in Madhya Pradesh (1,348) followed by Punjab (299). A total of 488 inmates in Gujarat, 374 inmates in Delhi, 344 inmates in Madhya Pradesh were imparted in carpentry. Maximum inmates imparted with training in canning were in Assam (123). Gujarat (956) and Punjab (948) inmates in weaving. Andhra Pradesh (307) and Punjab (303) inmates in making of soap & phenyl. Madhya Pradesh (531) and Jharkhand (69) inmates in handloom were imparted during 2016.

218

Distribution of Prison Inmates by the Type of Vocational Training done during 2016 Chart – 10.1

A snapshot of good initiatives undertaking by States/UTs in the field of vocational training are discussed below:

1. Andhra Pradesh: State is imparting training to prisoners in Computer basics, Masonry work.

2. Arunachal Pradesh: The rehabilitation programme is yet to be adopted by the State Government of Arunachal Pradesh. However, for the self-sustainability of prisoners, State has engaged their prisoners in making of local cane and bamboo handicraft like Murah, Japi, Brooms etc. from which they are earning good amount. They also engage themselves in kitchen gardening. This activity helps them when they get released from Jail as they can earn by practicing the same trade for their livelihood in their homestead.

The inmates of the Jails are also learning new types of skills and ability in the field of trades like agricultural farming, vegetables and horticulture.

3. Assam: Rehabilitation programme for prisoners lodge in prisons such as Educational training, Computer literacy etc. are being imparted among the prisoners of the jails.

Vocational Training provided to the prisoners to enhance employability potential after their release and help in their rehabilitation.

4. Bihar: Initiatives have been taken

for vocational training of prisoners through Non-Government organization as well as through Jail Industries. various Training programmes running under prisoners welfare is as under:

Weaving(7.7%)

Tailoring(6.5%) Carpentry

(4.9%)Agriculture activities

(3.9%)

Making of Soap & Phenyle(2.2%)

Handloom(1.1%)

Canning(0.6%)Others

(73.2%)

219

Computer Training Computer typing, Painting, Stitching Bamboo based handicrafts Resham Keet Palan Laah bangles making Bread Making Blanket and carpet making Wooden Furniture making Printing press training Cloth making Sanitation items such as

phenol, caustic soap, washing soap making.

Utensils Kitchen masala

In 6 Central Jails and 2 District

Jails, various industries have been established wherein convicted and undertrial prisoners are being involved in production works to develop their skills in them.

5. Goa: Vocational Training is being imparted to the prisoners for their rehabilitation after their release.

6. Haryana: Vocational training is being imparted to prison inmates in jails which the help of RSETI / Lead Banks, Technical Education Department Haryana and NGO’s in trades like plumbing, electrician, motorcycle repairs, refrigerator repairing, hair cutting, beautician, handicrafts, painting and computer data operator. Approximately 2153 prisoners have already been enrolled under the scheme for vocational training.

7. Jammu & Kashmir: The inmates are being provided various welfare trainings like, cutting and tailoring, cloth weaving, carpet weaving, candle making, carpentry, embroidery, handloom, power loom, barbering, plumbering, painting, electrician trade, computer courses etc. for the rehabilitation of prisoners after their release.

8. Jharkhand: Vocational Training is being provided to prisoners viz. Electrician Training, tailoring, handloom, power loom, automatic soap making, printing, file making etc. in various jails of Jharkhand.

In addition to above, Skill Development Programme has been started by the state with the help of NULM on pilot based in Birsa Munda Central Jail, Hotwar, Ranchi & Women Probation Home, Namkum, Ranchi.

9. Karnataka: Vocational Training in different trade craft for both convicted (Male & Female) ex: Bakery, textile/garment etc. is being provided in various jails of Karnataka for the rehabilitation of the prisoners after their release.

10. Maharashtra: Computer education training is provided for the prisoners so that they can appear in various computer examinations.

Imparting vocational training, the department train the prisoners in motor mechanic work and run the washing centres

11. Manipur: Vocational training programme based on the

220

availability of resources has been taken-up by the state of manipur for the benefit of the inmates lodged in the Jails of Manipur. The female prisoners have been imparted training regularly in the field of Dhoop, dish wash, doll making etc. They are imparting 6 months training course in the trade of Tailoring and embroidery under a well experienced instructor.

The art of making plastic

bags by plastic threads and morah are imparted to the male inmates lodged in Manipur Central Jail, Sajiwa with a view to take care of their livelihood after their released from jail and to enable them join the mainstream as a good citizens.

12. Nagaland: Various Vocational Training adopted by the Nagaland Prison department under prisoners welfare are as follows:

Detergent powder production.

Handicrafts and tailoring. Tea plantation and fruit

plantation. Mora making and bamboo

crafts. Rearing of life stock like

poultry, fishery and growing of seasonal vegetables.

13. Odisha: Several vocational training programs are imparting to the prisoners for their self-employment after release. Training like Tailoring, Carpentry, Smithy, Book Binding, Weaving, Phenyl making. Candle making, oil processing, knitting and embroidery, jute mat and cotton

durry making, agarbati dairy farm, sabai grass furniture making, washing soap, rice bodi making, dal processing etc. have been given through the jail industries.

14. Puducherry: The Central Prison and other Jails in Union Territory of Puducherry comparatively detained very lesser number of prisoners nearly (150 prisoners), they are being given training on Yoga, horticulture, carpentry, mat weaving (floor mat), embroidery, tailoring, education to the illiterate inmates, computer education, etc. for their rehabilitation after their release.

15. Sikkim: The various jails of Sikkim provide Vocational units such as bamboo products unit, carpentry, wooden furniture & wood carving, mushroom farming, dairy farming, tailoring etc. would certainly help in their rehabilitation process once they are released from prison.

16. Tamil Nadu: Mahatma Gandhi

Community Colleges approved by the Tamil Nadu Open University have been established in all the Central Prisons, Special Prisons for Women and Borstal School, Pudukkottai. Various educational and vocational courses are offered to the prisoners aimed at empowering the prisoners towards gainful employment on their release.

As a new initiative, Industrial

Training Institute has been established inside Central Prison, Tiruchirappalli. The Industrial

221

Training Institute is functioning under the administrative control of Department of Employment and Training. Following are the trade offered by the State prison department:

Filter Electrician COPA(Computer Operator

and Programming Assistant)

Cutting and Sewing Welder(Gas & Electric)

With a view to offering practical experience to the prisoners, life-coping skills and production skills are being imparted enabling them to have better employability on their release and preventing them from reverting to crimes. To inculcate work habits during their confinement in prisons and to impart new skills, several industries such as Sealing Wax Industry, Weaving Industry, Boot Industry, Book Binding Industry, Tag Industry, Soap Industry, Tailoring Unit, Bakery Unit, Hand Made Paper Unit, Nursery Development, Agricultural Production, Compost Making etc., have been established in the Prisons. Apart from the above industries, Fly Ash Bricks Industry, Sanitary Napkin Production Unit, LED Lights Manufacturing cum Training Unit have also been recently established.

17. Uttar Pradesh: District prison Ghaziabad for the welfare/ rehabilitation of prisoners has introduced initial education in technical education / training, computer in collaboration with self-

help and non-governmental organizations like India Vision Foundation, New Delhi. Prisoners in the prevailing bakery industry, prisoners were trained in electric motor wading, which would be helpful in their rehabilitation.

District Jail, Sitapur has initiated Training on sewing, weaving and embroidery on regular basis with the help of the social service organization for the reinstatement of female prisoners. Male prisoners who have already been received training are providing training support to untrained prisoners on information of embroidery, knitting for facilitating self-employment. Model Jail, Lucknow has provisioned training as well as practical work experience to prisoners in various industries like powerloom, printing press, handmade paper, sewing industry, bakery etc. under the rehabilitation scheme. With the help of model prison co-operative society the work is done by the prisoners to get pastoral. Under the scheme “Adaj Bandi Yojana”, some prisoners have been granted exemption to set up their business outside the prison. Under which the prisoners have been allowed to open a shop near the prison premises. In the work of agriculture, 110 prisoners are continuing to provide sugarcane harvest in the Indian Sugarcane Research Institute, Lucknow. District Karagar Saharanpur: The prisoners imprisoned in this prison

222

were trained in motor wading, cloth sewing, bakery, paper envelopes and flowering, vegetables.

District Jail Aligarh: In April, 2016, fishery training, dairy, buffaloes, and poultry training and bakery rearing training programs were organized for the rehabilitation of the prisoners.

18. Uttarakhand: State has introduced vocational training for prisoners to train them to making clothes and linen etc., to able those to rehabilitate them by using said employment by acquiring proficiency in captive work.

19. West Bengal: A three-months course on basic training of manufacturing leather products have been organized by the Directorate at Presidency Correctional Home, Kolkata in association with Footwear Design & Development Institute (FDDI). 40 selected convicts from different correctional homes were imparted skill-training on making fancy leather bag, wallet, belt, cell phone cover etc.

20. A & N Islands: Training in the field of cane, bamboo & wooden furniture/handicrafts are being provided to the prisoners on regular basis.

21. Delhi: An initiative is taken in the history of prisons in India, where twelve hundred inmates of Delhi Prisons will be trained in different kinds of employable skills in the first phase of the project. The two

training partners, i.e., M/s IL & FS and M/s Orion Edutech have been identified by the Ministry to train the inmates in skills such as, B.P.O, Retail Sales, Computer Hardware, Trainee Chef, Beauty Wellness etc. On successful completion of the course, the trainee inmates will be awarded a certificate from Government of India, which will help them in finding a suitable job opportunity post their release.

A workshop to manufacture LED workshop and Solar Panel for inmates is under consideration, so that, they can learn something new that will be helpful in their future after release.

IL & FS had conducted three vocational programs of Assistant Electrician, Trainee Associate and Beauty and Wellness Courses and each program had conducted for the 45 days in which 25 inmates had been enrolled in each course. Orion Edutech had also conducted three vocational programs of apron swing machine operator, b.p.o and computer hardware courses and each program had conducted for 45 days in which 25 inmates had enrolled in each course.

Furthermore, taking a leaf from the ambitious project of ‘PRADHAN MANTRI KAUSHAL VIKAS YOJNA’, Delhi Prisons, in association with the Ministry of Skill Development and Entrepreneurship, Govt. of India, took a giant leap towards launching a mammoth programme for skill development of the inmates of Central Jail, Tihar.

223

IV. Value of Goods Produced by Inmates

The training of jail inmates in the vocational trades resulted in production of articles which have the market value. The details of the gross value of such products in different States and UTs are given in Table- 10.3. Tamil Nadu had reported the highest gross value of sale proceeds of 3,414

lakhs earned by the jail inmates followed by Maharashtra ( 2,958.5 lakhs) and Kerala ( 2,049.1 lakhs) during the year 2016. The value of goods produced per inmate was highest in Kerala ( 28,970.7) followed by Tamil Nadu ( 22,954.3) and Chandigarh ( 19,088.5) during the year 2016. Per capita value of goods produced by an inmate in the year 2016 is presented in Chart 10.2.

State/UT-wise Value of Goods Produced by Prison Inmates during 2016 Chart – 10.2

0.1

0.2

0.9

1.0

1.1

1.1

1.5

1.6

1.8

2.9

3.0

4.3

4.4

7.9

8.2

9.2

12.4

14.9

18.5

20.2

20.5

29.6

34.1

0.0 5.0 10.0 15.0 20.0 25.0 30.0 35.0 40.0

ASSAM

JAMMU & KASHMIR

RAJASTHAN

HARYANA

ODISHA

UTTARAKHAND

CHANDIGARH

HIMACHAL PRADESH

WEST BENGAL

PUNJAB

KARNATAKA

MADHYA PRADESH

JHARKHAND

CHHATTISGARH

TELANGANA

GUJARAT

ANDHRA PRADESH

UTTAR PRADESH

DELHI

BIHAR

KERALA

MAHARASHTRA

TAMIL NADU

Gross Sale Value (in Crores)

Sta

tes/

UT

s

224

V. Wages

Prisoners who are engaged in labour in are paid a nominal wages based on their skills sets. Wages paid per day of work to the convicts is presented in (Table 10.4). An average of rupees 76.86, rupees 52.92 and rupees 60.22 were paid per day to Skilled, Semi-Skilled and Unskilled prisoners respectively.

The States/UTs of Delhi, Puducherry and Bihar has reported that rupees 361, 180 and 156 per day for skilled works in their States respectively. The States/UTs of Delhi, Puducherry and Meghalaya has reported rupees 328, 160 and 126 per day for semi-skilled works. The UT Delhi has paid highest wages for unskilled works (297 rupees per day). VI. Food and Clothing

1. Andhra Pradesh: Canteens have been started in all Central Jails and District Jails and Sub Jails as a part of welfare of prisoners, where all daily needs such as Soaps, Tooth Paste Brushes, Refreshments, Coconut Oil, Snakes, Coffee, Tea, Chappals, Pickles, etc. are sold to prisoners.

Special diet of Laddu is

provided to all prisoners on all important festivals including National Events i.e. Republic Day, Independence Day and Gandhi Jayanthi.

Children of Women prisoners are provided Special diet of Egg, Banana, Bread, Cerelac at Government cost. Special diet is given to pregnant women prisoners.

2. Bihar: The facility of canteen is made available in all central and district jails in Bihar.

The jail industries and workshops are self-sufficient in meeting the requirements of clothing.

3. Haryana: Bakery units have been installed in District Jail, Karnal, sirsa and Bhiwani Jail in the year 2013, 2014 and 2015 respectively.

New additions have been made

to the dietary items of prisoners like Rajmaha, black channa and white channa. Now the prisoners will get dal moong, dal chana, dal masoor, dal urad, black gram, white garm, and rajmaha once in a week.

The facility of coupon system in

jail canteens was converted into Cashless System in order to have more transparency. The canteens are stocked with all the necessary items which are sold at controlled prices i.e. purchase price +10% profit but not to exceed MRP. All goods are purchased through well known wholesale dealers like metro, best price, patanjali shops etc. for quality goods at reasonable rates.

4. Karnataka: Canteen facility for inmates has been introduced in prisons of this State. State prisons provide free ration to prison personnel upto jailor.

5. Maharashtra: Canteen facilities are provided to prisoners wherein

225

they can purchase their requirements and the prison products like bakery.

6. Tamil Nadu: Nutritious and balanced diet is provided to the prisoners in a hygienic manner as per the scale prescribed in Chapter XXII of the Tamil Nadu Prison Manual Volume-II. Medical diets such as milk, bread, egg, chicken etc., are given to the sick prisoners on the recommendation of the Medical Officers. Apart from this, once in a week all non-vegetarian prisoners are supplied with 115 grams of chicken and vegetarian prisoners are supplied with potato curry, kesari and a banana. In the kitchen, stainless steel cooking vessels and trolleys are used and the food items are served to the prisoners in stainless steel plates and mugs.

Special diet is provided to the prisoners on the occasion of Pongal, Republic Day, Independence Day and Gandhi Jayanthi. This Government have enhanced the amount spent for this purpose for each prisoner from Rs.5/- to Rs.50/- per occasion in G.O.Ms.No.29, Home (Prison-III) Department, dated 08.01.2015.

As prolonged consumption of ground nut oil which contains surplus fat causes health issues to the prisoners, the Government have issued orders in G.O.Ms.No.371, Home (Prison-IV) Department, dated 20.05.2014 to use refined Sunflower Oil for preparation of food for the prisoners for six days from Monday

to Saturday and to use Gingelly Oil on Sundays.

Clothing and bedding are provided to the inmates as per the norms laid down in the Tamil Nadu Prison Manual. The Uniform of the “B” Class convict prisoners has been changed from half-pant to trousers. Terry cotton pants, shirts and large sized blankets are issued to the convicts. The remand prisoners are permitted to bring their own clothing. If the remand prisoners don’t have adequate clothing, sufficient clothes are provided to them at Government cost.

7. Uttar Pradesh: In the District Prison, Bahraich, for the welfare of prisoners in prison, garment distribution was imparted to poor women prisoner and children living with them with the support of NGOs. In winter, clothes and woolen fabrics were provided by contacting Self-help Organizations for destitute prisoners.

8. West Bengal: Bakery products were introduced at Alipore Women’s Correctional Home, which is consumed by the inmates of different Correctional Homes.

Since “Muri” is in the approved list of prisoners’ diet in West Bengal Correctional Homes, and considering the huge consumption by all correctional homes, puffed rice (muri) making machines have been installed at four central correctional homes at Presidency, Dum Dum, Midnapore

226

and Berhampore. In the second phase such machines will be installed at Jalpaiguri and Suri. These Correctional Home can supply “muri” to others after meeting their own requirement in due course.

9. A & N Islands: A Prisoner’s

Welfare Canteen is running for the welfare of the prisoners in the UT.

VII. Telephone Facility

1. Andhra Pradesh: Improving family ties of prisoners will go a long way in their reformation process. Understanding this, telephone facility has been introduced in all Central / District Jails, some of the Sub Jails and Special Sub Jails in Andhra Pradesh. Under this scheme, prisoners are allowed to make (8) calls in a month to their family members, friends and advocates at Rs.20/- per call.

2. Haryana: Prison inmate calling system (PICS) have been installed in all the jails in Haryana except the very small ones namely Panipat / Palwal and Rewari with the approval of State Government. Earlier the prisoners were allowed to speak to their family members twice a week. Now, Government has increased the timings of calling from 10 minutes to 35 minutes weekly for male and 60 minutes for the female inmates. The family members of prisoners residing at far off places are need not take the trouble of travelling long distances saving time and money also.

Modern interview rooms have been constructed in all the jails with facilities like intercoms, fans, exhaust fans, sound proof glass etc. have been provided in these modern interview room. They are comparable to the ones available in any modern jail.

3. Jharkhand: Outgoing telephone

facilities with voice recording facility has been provided in all jails for prisoners.

Web based prison management system (PMS) and Visitor Management System (VMS) is functional in all prisons of Jharkhand.

4. Maharashtra: Face to Face interview of prisoners and their children below the age of sixteen years started in few prisons. This has been identified as one of the best corrective measures and will be implemented in all prisons in phases.

5. Tamil Nadu: To facilitate the prisoners to contact their relatives, friends and also their Advocates, 54 telephone booths were installed in 9 Central Prisons, 3 Special Prisons for Women and in Borstal School, Pudukkottai, at a cost of Rs.2.01 crores. This facility reduces the stress level of the prisoners drastically as they are able to contact their family members, friends and their Advocates. As on 30.06.2016, this facility has been used 3,75,671 times by the prisoners.

The Advocates are permitted to interview the prisoners

227

on all days except Sundays. Special interviews are also organized for Advocates on Saturday’s upto 1 O'Clock.

For the convenience of school and college going children and working spouse of the prisoners special interviews are arranged on the first Sunday of every month.

6. A & N Islands: Mulakats (interview) are being provided to the well behaved prisoners so that there will be a regular touch with their society.

VIII. Insurance Schemes for Prisoners and Prisons Staff:

1. Andhra Pradesh: As a Welfare measure, State has taken initiative to insured all the prisoners of the State wherein all the life convicts are being enrolled in “Pradhana Mantri Suraksha Bheema Yojana”.

2. Tamil Nadu: Under the Group Insurance Scheme, the Government have enhanced the existing insurance coverage of personnel of the Prison Department from Rs.1.00 lakh to Rs.2.00 lakhs to those who die while on duty and in the case of death in accidents as per G.O.Ms.No.503, Home (Prison-II) Department, dated 04.07.2012.

This Scheme benefits the executive staff of Prison Department from the rank of Grade-II Warders to Deputy Inspector General of Prisons.

3. Delhi: Zero Balance Bank Accounts have been opened in

Indian Bank for 3,500 convicts, lodged in various jails of Delhi. This initiative has been taken under the Pradhan Mantri Jan Dhan Yojna. Under this scheme, the convicts can deposit their wages in the account and withdraw as per the requirement of their families. This scheme will also help them to avail the benefit of other government schemes, such as, Rehabilitation Grant, post their release from jail. Efforts are being made towards opening of these accounts for willing under trials under this scheme. Consequently, these inmates became beneficiaries of Pradhan Mantri Suraksha Bima Yojna and Pradhan Mantri Jeevan Jyoti Yojna. Prison administration has taken the initiative to educate the inmates about the benefits of these schemes.

IX. Creche and Nursery Facility for the Children

1. Karnataka: Creche and nursery facilities for the children accompanying women inmates is provisioned in the various jails of Karnataka.

2. Maharashtra: Creches and kinder garden are run for the children of female prisoners in the various jails of Maharashtra.

X. Games and Recreation Activity

1. Andhra Pradesh: Recreation facilities such as T. Vs, Games and Sports are being organized in the State Prisons of Andhra Pradesh.

2. Bihar: The facility of gym, musical instruments, library, sports and

228

reading materials are made available in all central and district jails in Bihar.

3. Goa: Type of recreational facilities

provided in jails during the year 2016

Television, playing games, organising events, library, musical classes etc.

Prisoners are allowed to play volleyball, football, cricket, table tennis, badminton, chess and carom.

Literacy classes, higher education, vocational training etc.

Ganesh festival, Eid, Christmas, Diwali, Holi and National days.

4. Jharkhand: Cultural therapy – viz. Art classes (painting) and musical programmes are promoted among prisoners.

Indoor and outdoor games (volleyball, cricket, carom etc.) and tournaments are regularly organised in the State Prisons of Jharkhand.

5. Karnataka: Facility for indoor and outdoor games and Inter prison prisoner’s sports meet in prisons are being organized in the State Prisons of Karnataka.

Television facility is also provided for the recreation purpose in the various jails of Karnataka.

6. Maharashtra: Facility of indoor and outdoor games are being provided

in the State Prisons of Maharashtra.

Television installed for the prisoners in barracks to see the national programmes only is provided in the various jails of Maharashtra.

7. Manipur: Sports materials like

volley ball, carom, badminton, Ludo, chess, daily local/national newspapers were provided to the inmates for their recreation. Musical instruments such as harmonium, triple drum, flute, eco, guitar etc. are also provided to the inmates of Manipur Central Jail, Sajiwa for their group entertainment. Annual Sports Meet inside the Jails is conducted for the inmates lodged in the Jails of Manipur.

8. Odisha: Recreational facilities like Television, Ludo, Carom, Chess, Volleyball and Daily Odiya newspapers etc. have been provided to the prisoners during the year 2016. These facilities are provided to keep the inmates physically emotional and mentally fit.

9. Tamil Nadu: Activities like physical training, indoor and outdoor games are being provided in the State Prisons of Tamil Nadu.

10. Uttar Pradesh: Sports Programs are being organized by District Jail Bulandsahar to keep minority prisoners physically and mentally fit

11. Delhi: Inmates are exhorted to get

involved in various sports, games

229

and that would enhance their health and also release stress levels. Inmates are encouraged to participate in games like Cricket, Table Tennis, Badminton, Volleyball, Basketball on the regular basis to keep fit their body as well as to reduce the stress level. For promoting indoor games like Carom, Chess and Ludo etc., inmates are distributed Carom Board, Chess Boards and Ludos in their barracks.

Dedicated location has been opted for various types of games such as the Central Jail No. 1 is the venue of Cricket as there is a Stadium, CJ-2 is the venue of Volleyball, CJ-3 is the venue of Basket Ball, CJ-4 is the venue for Kabaddi & Tug of War, CJ-5 is the venue of Kho-Kho, CJ-7 is the venue of Carom, Chess and Badminton.

Matches have been hosted for Inter Jail Matches for the year 2016-2017 under the annually organized Tihar Olympics fest. The vision for this Inter Jail Competition has been to instill a fervent level of competitiveness amongst them that would help them to boost the confidence and spirit. An inter Jail Competition has been organized for all the above said sports at the said venues. Prizes were distributed to the winner teams.

XI. Spiritual and Cultural Activity

1. Bihar: As per the requirement, Religious instructors are provisioned on weekly / occasional basis.

On the special occasions or festivals inmates celebrate in festivals like Chatt puja, Eid etc.

Drama, Sangeet samaroha, Melody programmes, Dance Palls song and Bhajan Samaroh etc. are also being organized among the inmates in different jails.

2. Haryana: The prisoners encouraged to participate in prayers and spiritual programs, games and sports and cultural programs. The assistance of voluntary agencies and non Govt. Organization has been taken for positive and correctional approach. An endeavor is made to give humane treatment to the convicts/Undertrials lodged in the jails of Haryana.

3. Jharkhand: Cultural programme on the occasion of National or religious festival are being organized in the State Prisons of Jharkhand.

4. Karnataka: Moral lecturers / discourses are conducted by spiritual leaders of various organizations. Art of living courses – youth leadership training programme & S+ are being organized in the State Prisons of Karnataka.

5. Maharashtra: Moral lectures are conducted by various organizations, Cultural activities and programmes like “Bandiwan Kala Rajani” are being organised in the State Prisons of Maharashtra.

6. Manipur: Spiritual counselling and treatment workshop are imparted to

230

the inmates by NGOs and religious organizations as and when they approach jails of Manipur.

7. Nagaland: Moral and Spiritual counselling as a reformation practice is being organised in the various jails of Nagaland.

8. Odisha: Type of cultural programme organized in jails of Odisha during the year 2016 are as under:

Bhajan Samaroha Dandiya Nrutya Sambalpuri Nrutya Bhagabat Prabachan Spiritual programme Yoga Programme

Various other religious programme like Sabitri brata, Dusahera Utsav, Raja Utsav etc. are celebrated by the inmates of the jails.

Spiritual programmes has been conducted through different NGOs like Prajapita Brahmakumari Iswariya Viswa Vidyalaya. Art of living for mental, psychological, spiritual and Sociological reforms for the prisoners are being conducted in the jails of Odisha.

Quiz competition, awareness programme on health, singing devotional/patriotic songs moral teaching etc. conducted inside the jails. The inmates participate in the said programme and prize were distributed among them in the jails of Odisha.

XII. Assistance to Prisoners A total of 1,989 prisoners were provided

financial assistance on their release in the country during the year 2016. A total of 94,242 prisoners were given legal aid in the country during the year 2016. Delhi has reported highest number of prisoners 47091 who were given legal aid followed by West Bengal(5667) and Tamil Nadu(5086) (Table 10.4). Various measures taken by States to provide legal aid to needy prisoners are discussed below:

1. Andhra Pradesh: Legal Aid Cell for

legal assistance is one of welfare measure that is being implemented in the State Prisons of Andhra Pradesh.

2. Bihar: The Legal Aid provided to the system Analogist weedy prisoner with the help of district Legal Services Authority.

3. Haryana: Efforts are being made to provide legal aid to the needy prisoners through the free legal aid society. Legal Aid Society members visit the jail regularly and undertake to defend their cases in the court. They also meet the prisoners collectively and individually to listen to their problems and sort out their grievances as per rules.

4. Jharkhand: Following activities are being provided under Legal Aid Cell in the State Prisons of Jharkhand:

Free legal aid clinics have been established in all jails by DLSA.

Undertrial review committee has been set up in all

231

districts under the Chairmanship of principal district & sessions judge. The Committee also considers the provisions of the Sec. 436A of Cr.P C.

Para legal volunteers (PLV’s) have been appointed in all prisons by DLSA.

Jail adalats are regularly organised by DLSA in all jails. Special jail adalats are also organized on every 26th January, 15th August and 2nd of October in all jails.

Convict prisoners are being released on parole as per Jharkhand prisoners parole Rules 2012 (No. convicts released on parole till date – 68)

Victims are being paid 1/3rd amount of the Prisoners’s remuneration (for the work done by the convicts) as per the Jharkhand victim welfare fund rules – 2014 (Rs.1,11,48,675.00 paid to 541 victims till date).

State sentence review board has been constitute and proposals for premature release of life term prisoners are considered as per Sec. 432,433A of Cr.P.C. 1025 life convict released by State Sentence Review Board.

5. Karnataka: There is Legal

assistance, legal awareness programmes is being run the State Prisons of Karnataka.

6. Nagaland: Legislative action such as, awareness on legal rights of prisoners through District Legal Service Authority, Lok Adalat, Camp Court through Hon’ble Court of District & Session Judge are some of activities under Legal Aid Cell in the State Prisons of Nagaland.

7. Sikkim: Some of the prisoners trained as Para Legal Volunteers are actively working for legal awareness and legal remedy for prisoners, prison appeals etc. for prisoners in the various jails of Sikkim.

8. Tamil Nadu: Free Legal Aid

services are made available to the prisoners. The Tamil Nadu State Legal Services Authority has opened a Legal Aid Cell in all Central Prisons, Special Prisons for Women and Sub Jails for the benefit of the prisoners.

XIII. NGO

Information reported from States/ UTs reveals that, across the country there were around 779 NGOs who are working exclusively for the welfare of prisoners were reported during the year 2016, highest number of such NGOs were reported by the Jail Department of Gujarat (122) followed by Delhi (104) and Uttar Pradesh (91).These NGOs work exclusively for the benefit of Prisoners in terms of Legal Aid, Human rights, Proper Medical Aids and etc. Through these NGO a total of 89464 prisoners were given medical counseling and 74088 prisoners were given legal counseling, State/UT wise such details are presented in (Table 10.5).

232

B. Grievances Prisoners those who are denied of their lawful right or subjected to cruelty can approach and file complaints with Magistrates, Prison Authorities, Human Rights Commissions, etc. I. Complaints to National Human

Right Commission:

A total of 345, 268 and 298 complaints were received by NHRC from prisoners or others (in-favor of the prisoners others can also lodge complaints) in 2014, 2015 and 2016 respectively, showing a mixed trend with a decrease of 22.32% in 2015 over 2014 and an increase of 11.19% in 2016 over 2015 (Chart 10.3).

During the year 2016, highest

number of complaints received from the prisoners (or in-favor of the prisoners others can also lodge complaints) of the States/UTs of Delhi (52), Punjab (41) and Tamil Nadu (39).

A total of 242, 207 and 233 complaints of prisoners were disposed off by the NHRC in 2014, 2015 and 2016 respectively, showing a mixed trend with a decrease of 14.46% in 2015 over 2014 and an increase of 12.56% in 2016 over 2015. A total of 65 Complaints from

prisoners were pending with NHRC for suitable action (Table 10.6). II. Complaints to State Human

Rights Commission: A total of 598, 629 and 563 complaints were received by SHRC from prisoners or Others (in-favour of the prisoners others can also lodge complaints) in 2014, 2015 and 2016 respectively, showing a mixed trend with an increase of 5.18% in 2015 over 2014 and decrease of 10.49% in 2016 over 2015 (Chart 10.3). The highest number of complaints of prisoners were received by the respective SHRC of the States of Punjab (172), Kerala (66), Madhya Pradesh (66) and Odisha (59). A total of 324, 329 and 418 complaints of prisoners were disposed off by SHRC in 2014, 2015 and 2016 respectively, showing an increase of 1.54% in 2015 over 2014 and 27.05% in 2016 over 2015. A total of 145 Complaints from prisoners were with respective SHRC for suitable action, highest number of such prisoners complaints were pending with SHRCs of the State Punjab (102), Karnataka (12) and Bihar (10) (Table 10.6).

233

Complaints Received and Disposed off by NHRC and SHRC during 2014-2016

Chart – 10.3

Some good practices adopted by Maharashtra and Tamil Nadu towards setting up of the Grievance Redressal System are discussed below:

1. Maharashtra: State has introduced Grievance redressal system for prisoners wherein Complaint boxes in every barracks have been setup, which are opened before the DIG only, complaint box for judges, which are opened before the visiting judges only. This facility has almost reduced the anonymous, pseudonymous, complaints of the prisoners.

Fast redressal of the difficulties of prison staff, timely promotions, free accessibility with senior officers, and training in human rights have helped us in improving the behaviour of prison staff with prisoners. The allegations and complaints to the human rights commission have become rare.

2. Tamil Nadu: Redressal of grievances of the prisoners are given top priority by the Prison Department. All the Central Prisons are provided with sealed complaint

boxes in which the prisoners can drop their grievance petitions. These boxes are opened by the District and Sessions Judge on the first working day of every month and complaints are forwarded to the appropriate authorities for action. Apart from this, Sessions Judges and Chief Judicial Magistrates make surprise visits to prisons once in a month to check the quality of food and other facilities provided to the prisoners and enquire into their grievances. During the annual inspections, the Additional Director General of Police / Inspector General of Prisons and Range Deputy Inspectors General of Prisons, enquire each and every prisoner about his/her grievances and take prompt action to redress their grievances.

The Superintendents of Prisons Conduct Inspection Parade of all prisoners every week and hear the grievances of the prisoners and redresses them.

345

242

598

324268

207

629

329298

233

563

418

0

100

200

300

400

500

600

700

No. of ComplaintsReceived by NHRC

No. of Complaintsdisposed off by NHRC

No. of ComplaintsReceived by SHRC

No. of Complaintsdisposed off by SHRC

2014 2015 2016

234