Reformation and Rehabilitation of Prisoners in the Eastern Region,  Nagpur, Maharshtra.

·        The motto of prisoner administration is reformation and rehabilitation.

·        After joining my new assignment as the D.I.G.P. Prisons, Eastern Region, Nagpur, Maharashtra in March, 2005.  I started pursuing this motto with vigour and innovation.

·        There are two great obstacles on the path of reformation and rehabilitation of prisoners.

·        First is depression and second low esteem.

·        Therefore, we designed number of programs which would remove depression and instill them with a sense of creative zeal.

·        Following are the important among them :-

1.                 Establishment of Laughter Club.

2.                 Celebration of all important festivals.

3.                 Yoga and meditation.

4.                 Organizing cultural programs.

5.                 Hasya  Kavi Sammelan.

6.                 Mushaira.

7.                 Lectures of important personalities.

8.                 Increased personal interaction with prison officer and staff.

·        As a result of the above initiatives we observed marked difference in

     the behavior of prisoners within two-three months.

·        Earlier they used to keep themselves in isolation.

·        But now a sense of togetherness developed in them.

·        Earlier while sitting in some function they used to keep their eyes down.

·        But after a gap of two-three months they started participating with enthusiasm and interest.

·        As a result of such initiatives the inter-personal relations of prisoner also developed in a healthy manner.

·        In order to boost their self esteem the following measures were adapted :-

1.                 Encouraging them to lead the group of Laughter Club.

2.                 Giving them platform to perform, sing songs and recite poems or Shayari.

3.                 Reading books specially selected for prisoners.

4.                 Encouraging them to join course of the Yashwant Rao Open University, Nasik, Maharashtra.

5.                 Starting literacy Classes.

6.                 Starting a library in lady barrack.

7.                 Organizing cultural programs of prisoners outside prison by the name " Bandiwan kala Rajani ".

·        As an effect of the above measures the prisoners developed a sense of self esteem.

·        Twelve prisoners passed the B.A. exam from the Yashwant Rao Open University, Nasik in 2005.

·        Two grand cultural programs were organized by prisoners outside the prison which were well appreciated by the public and press.

·        First on 13.12.2005 in Deshpande Auditorium, Nagpur and inaugurated by the Chief Minister of Maharashtra.

·        Second on 05.02.2006 in the Parade Ground of Nagpur Central Jail.

·        This was the first cultural programme performed by prisoners in open for general public in Maharashtra.  (Information for the whole country not available.)

·        Children up-to the age of four are allowed to be with their mothers in the prison if there is nobody to look after them outside.

·        Like their mothers these children also remain in the prisons for years.

·        A Balwadi was constructed outside the Nagpur prison for these children.

·        With the help of a N.G.O. this Balwadi is being run.

·        Children are taken out of the prison at 09.00 AM and remain in the Balwadi for three-four hours and come back to the lady barracks.

·        Children of the prisons staff are also coming to the Balwadi.

·        Thus, these children get an opportunity to breathe in fresh air and mix-up with other children.

·        Lots of steps have been taken to improve the health and health awareness of prisoners.

·        Numerous health check-up camps have been organized with NGO's like Rotary, Lions, IMA, etc.

·        Camps of alternative medicines like Homeopathy, Naturopathy, and Acupressure were also organized.

·        A dental X-ray machine has been donated to the prison hospital by the Western Coal fields Ltd. Nagpur.  This has helped a lot in reducing police escort to take prisoners outside the jail.

·        In order to redress the day to day grievances of prisoners the system of Petition Box is introduced.

·        On every Thursday and Saturday a box is sent to all barracks of the prisons and prisoners are asked to post their grievances.

·        The grievances may be anonymous also.

·        This system has helped a lot in redressing the grievances of prisoners and putting a check on the corrupt and unscrupulous practices inside.

·        A system of personal counseling has been started.

·        Those prisoners who have specific problems are called to the office of the Supdt. and their problems are redressed.

·        Those suffering from depression or other psychic problems are also counseled.

·        Loneliness is a big problem for prisoners.

·        In order to provide them healthy entertainment and other informations more than 50 colour  T.V.s were taken as donation and provided to prisoners.

·        Lots of steps are being taken to ensure that prisoners are not emotionally cut off from their families, so that after their release they are properly received in their homes.

·        With the help of a NGO ' Childline ' a programme was held inside the Nagpur Jail where children below 16 years of age met their prisoners parents in closely proximity without any barrier.

·        In order to boost up their morale and help heir rehabilitation life convicts are felicitated at the time of their release from the prison.

·        Lots of courses are being conducted to help them in rehabilitation after release.

·        Computer course, screen printing and other handicrafts are being taught to them.

·        The Small Industries Service Institute of the Central Govt. has organized so many programs of  the prisoners.

·        As a result of all these initiatives prisoners are feeling free and showing goods signs of reformation.

·        So more and more prisoners are coming forward to seek furlough and go to their respective places for a specific period of time.

·        The following figure is an indicator.

Year                   Applications received                Furlough granted  

2003                             824                                           502             

2004                             862                                           619

2005                             953                                           637

·        Emphasis is being laid on the training of the jail staff also.

·        So a monthly one day workshop has been going on for last 10

     months.

·        More than 500 prison staff has been trained in correctional matters.

·        Exemplary punishment is being given to those jail staff who indulge

            In seriously objectionable practices.  Under the extraordinary power

            Vested in the competent authority by the Article 311 (2) (b) of the

            Constitution of India, two employees have been dismissed from the

            service within one year.

·        As a result of all these initiatives the general atmosphere of the prison in Nagpur Region is congenial and free from violence and aggression generally related to prison administration.

Writ petition in the Nagpur High Court regarding complaints about the jail staff has also come down.

Year            ---                2003            ---                22

Year            ---                2004            ---                32     

Year            ---                2005            ---                19

          Thus the above initiatives have contributed a lot to tuning up administration of prisons in the Region.the general