INDIAN PRISONS
-Dhara Kothari

Indian prisons and most of the prisons in the world are the last place to live in. It is better to live in the fiery and dark hell than to live in these prisons. Most government gives various excuses to make the prisons the dirtiest place to live and it has been going on from centuries. The government wants to dissuade people from committing crimes, which is a healthy thinking. But the noble thoughts are to be stopped right there. Looking at the state of prisons, they actually encourage and propel people towards crimes.

What happens to those innocents or those whose crimes are too minor for them to be thrown into prisons? Life is even worst than hell, the inmate starts calling for the devil, after all they are far better than the Indian prisons and the apathy of the government. Any reforms and willingness to change always remain on reams of paper and the approval of human rights commission and the social agencies. But who really cares enough to manage the prisons? India boasts of superb management institutions and the demand for such people across the world. Can anyone even come forward to change the management of the prisons and the decision as to who should truly reside in it?

Calling for all judges, state and central government, police force, lawyers, information technologists and even management consultants to come and handle this one sensitive area that urgently needs make-over on the top priority basis. India spends trillions of Rupees on buying arms to protect the country, can’t the Indian government spend a fraction of it to protect and enforce a proper law and order in the country? There are no wars to fight with the outside enemy but the enemy that lives within the country itself. Here are a few pointers of how to manage criminals, inmates and the prisons.

Creation of four categories of prisons in the country is needed: 1. Those that are meant for terrorists and state enemies. 2. For second and third degree murders, serial killers, professional killers, hard core rapists, etc. 3. Crimes against the innocents (such as, women, children, old, etc) conducted through accidental or planned. 4. For those who are involved with economic offenses.

Every human no matter how bad a criminal they are need fresh air, water and sanitation facility. Such prisoners may not get to meet anyone, yet they have to have the basic requirements. Clean and simple but hygienic prisons are needed. It is indeed high time new prisons are built, where cleanliness can be maintained and provides better shelter in extreme climates. Such prisons should also house a compulsory library, net facility and hobby centre. The staff should also comprise of a plumber, an electrician and a medical supervisor, besides the normal guards and officers. There should also be a legal cell and a minimum small medical centre, either in the same premises or adjacent premises, which houses plenty of staff and visitor quarters. Even the confinement cells should be clean and not give rise to health problems and yes such cells should be forbidden for female inmates. Solitary confinement should not last more than a few hours daily and bathroom facility should be provided in such cells.

The female prisoners need more care in terms of personal, menstrual hygiene and thus need more spaces for them to live their lives even behind prison walls. No matter how hardened the female criminal, yet majority of them prefer to live in peace within the walls and thus create an environment where woman by nature can be given a chance to improvise their character and deeds. 90% of female criminals do turn into a new leaf and they should be encouraged by allowing them to study, work and live a more peaceful environment. Social connection and knowledge of their children being safe is of prime importance to woman and they should be encouraged to grow as human beings in spirituality and equip them to become financially independents. The prison life should give them an opportunity to study, learn skills and to keep in touch with their loved ones. This simple thing can truly go a long way in reforming them.

The male prisoners too need to be given a chance to reform. Although majority of them only pretend to be. These male prisoners need to filter from those who want to carry the way they are and those who are truly repenting the mistake they made under duress. Those who wish to be reformed should be kept separate from those who are serial crime generators. But overall the basic facility of air, water, food and sanitation must be provided.

For both the genders- bathroom facility should be plenty. Not more than maximum 20 should share one. Some prisoners coming from better economical background can pay (minor amount-like charging a rent) to use private toilet facilities. Clean drinking water should be provided in separate jugs daily. The food plates and utensils should be kept in the store rooms next to the kitchen to be used and washed by the user themselves. Basic medical facility should be made available to all on the premises and each should be allowed to communicate with their family and friends periodically over phones/web. The prisoners should be provided with reading, studying materials, games and even connection to the internet (controlled connection). They should be allowed to work and earn as per the market wages. They should also be allowed to conduct hobbies like painting, gardening, music, pottery, etc, those hobbies that are harmless and creative. Female and economic offended prisoners should be allowed outings at least once a month. Meditation, yoga, self-help means should be provided because a reformed soul is what the system should aim for. A choice of prison uniforms will be provided or pay to get a specially stitched one.

As for all the under-trials, they should either be freed or kept in temporary prisons that have more open systems and yet leave no place for escape. Such under-trials can live in a huge courtyard by the day and sleep on cots in the rooms that will have no bars. Not more than 5-10 of them shall share a bathroom (including toilets). They should be allowed to keep in constant touch with their families and lawyers. They will not adorn any prison uniform but their own clothes. They will bring in their own toiletries (after checked) and any other items that are harmless and essential for their upkeep. Those under-trials whose cases are for minor or economic offenses should be freed, rather than keep them and crowd the prisons.

However these under-trial people should be tracked by placing an RFID or GPRS system on their self at all times. In the event the under-trial attempts to manipulate or remove the tracking system, they will be detained in the prison rather than becoming free till their case has been solved. Once the case has been disposed off and the judgment passed the under-trial either convicted or freed will have the tracking system removed from their person. Under-trials will be allowed freedom of movement in their resident city, town or village and can only travel long distance for case and court proceedings. In case they need to travel elsewhere, special permission will be required and a data of their travel schedule maintained. All this technology will not only be computerized but automated as well.

Children offenders need to be kept in special houses that may prevent them from leaving but give them ample of space to grow and learn. Their childhood should not be robbed and they should live a life of a boarding school. For minor offenses and specially girls, they too should be given a tracking system and be freed under a responsible parent, older sibling, relative, guidance or a social/religious institution. Such special homes will have all the facility of being in a boarding school or a home itself. Not more than 6 children sharing a room and a bathroom (including toilets). Strict maintenance of cleanliness and hygiene should be prioritized and of course the boys will be separated from girls. In the event the siblings are housed in such a place, they should be given an opportunity to meet once in a day. Except for the child who has been indicated for murder or rape, other children will not be treated like criminals but minor offenders and full reform program should be conducted. These children shall continue with their education and their learning process.

This is a small attempt to reform not only prisoners but those indicated in crimes not yet proven guilty. Every human should aim these and other normal people to reform their soul, not just the character. At the end of each life, we all are a criminal of sorts and should not look down upon those with criminal minds and records.