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
