MESSAGE


15th August 2010 (Independence Day)

Independence Day marks a special occasion  in the history of Republic of India. It was on this day India became free from the colonial regime after a long and often turbulent struggle. What makes this occasion so special is the fact that freedom of India was triumph of principle of Non Violence over Violence. Several of our eminent leaders went to prisons during the long and hard course of struggle. They came out a better and determined person ready to fight against the tyranny of colonial regime. While remaining in prisons they never abondoned their principles and embarked on a path of self enrichment , gaining more knowledge and  wisdom in the process.

It is a well known fact that several of scholarly works have been written by our leaders while in Prisons. Some of the notable examples are:

"My Experiments With Truth" By Mahatma Gandhi , large parts of which were written during imprisonment at Yervada Jail,Pune

 "Discovery of India " by Pandit Jawahar Lal Nehru written during his imprisonment in 1942-46 at Ahmednagar Jail . He also wrote "Glimpses of World History"  from Prison.

It shows that Prisons  need not be a dreaded place for incarceration but an Institution for Self Development , meditation and  Reformation. With this ideal the Prison Administration  is working towards improving the Insitutions forh a new hope for better improvements in correctional administration. We are sincere and earnest in reaching new heights of professional excellence.

Given the complexities of correctional administration, each one of us has to learn new lessons in better understanding of psychological profile of prisoners and pro-actively engage them in positive attitudes and productive work. We have to empower them in vocational skills so that they find useful avenues of rehabilitation after release from Jail. During their stay in Jail, our approach should be one of patience, perseverance, sensitivity, and understanding. A the same time we have to inculcate values of discipline and humanity in them on a sustained basis. This balancing task has to be continuous with clear focus on ultimately moulding them into better citizens. For this we have to set a model by personal example. I hope each staff member realizes his/her role as a professional in nursing prisoners and nurturing enduring values in them. We have no doubt, severe resource constraints but if we have a will, we certainly find a way. Cooperation and coordination with other departments, NGOs and public is very much essential in strengthening infrastructure of jail. Chief Superintendent of Jails and his officers should pay due attention to improvement of facilities in other jails also in this U.T.

The Central Prison at Kalapet, puducherry was shifted to a better and newly constructed linstitution on 3rd October2008.As the only Phase-I is presently ready, the Department has initiated several steps to improve the environment at the Central Prison.During the year 2009-10 Prison Department was granted additional financial support of more that Rs 2.30 Crs by the Government of Puducherry for Modernisation of the Insitution.

Moderns equipments have been planned and some of them are already made available such as Door Frame Metal Detector, X-Ray Baggage Scanner, Wireless Communication System, Transportation facilities, Hospital equipments, cell phone Jammers.

Besides , new books have been purchased for the Library. Prison Department  also started Khadi Spinning Centre with the help of Khadi and Village Industries Board Puducherry. One Koramat weaving unit was also set up. Prisoners were given training in Phenyl and Detergent making. They were also given Yoga trainig. Plans are under preparation to set up more units at Prison Workshop during second phase of construction to provide gainfull employment to the inmates.The food have been improved. There are plans to set up  a Solar Steam Cooking system and Biogas plant with support from MNRE, Govt of India. Prisonsers have been allowed a new type of Unifor which are more dignifying and convenient. A paid Phone Facility is already provided in side the Prison for use of Inmates to make calls to their relatives under supervision.PWD has been asked to modernise the Prisoners Interview Room , for which equipments have already been procured. Visitor management is being computerised. Video Conferencing System is already setup and is under testing.

The posts of Warders and Principle Warders have been filled up. Remaining posts will be filled up soon.Staff have been issued with Uniform Kits which was due to them for last three years.Chief Suprintendent has been directed to ensure that Uniforms are distributed well in time.We are also looking into ways to take care of staff welfare in an institutionalised manner. The proposal to setup a Welfare society for Prison Officials is under examination.

Chief Superintendent of Jails / Superintendents of Jail are requested to hold fortnightly staff welfare meetings and send minutes of the meetings to me regularly. Chief Superintendent of Jails is requested to coordinate this closely.

We have miles to go in professional excellence. Prison modernization efforts have got a serious push during 2009. Our approach to integration of correctional services with social groups requires to be given a greater thrust this year. I look forward to new initiatives from Chief Superintendent of Jails and his staff in this regard.

I convey warm greetings to you all on the eve of  Independence DAy  15th August 2010.

(PANKAJ KUMAR JHA)

INSPECTOR GENERAL OF PRISONS

PUDUCHERRY