KARNATAKA
Subject Index
1.
Introduction
2.
Prison
Administration
3.
Act
and Rules
4.
Staff
Strength
5.
Modrenisation
of Prison Administration
6.
Traning
of officers
7.
Average
cost of Expenditure
8.
Reformative
measures
9. Agriculture & Horticilture
10. Open Air Prison
11. Education to inmates
12. Sports and Cultural
Activities
13. Wage
Earning Scheme
14. Canteen facilities
15. Premature Release
16. Treatment of prisoners
and facilities
17. Women Prisoners
18. Video Conferencing
19. Innovations
20. Staff Welfare
programmes
21. Best Practices
Karnataka Prisons
Historical Perspective :-
Prisons in
During the struggle for independence,
most of our national leaders went through repeated periods of
incarceration. Prison became a part of
our saga of struggle for national independence.
A beginning of jail reforms was made in
the States with the installation of popular governments in 1937 when political
leaders with first-hand experience of prison applied their minds to removing
some of the rigours of the prison.
The first scientific effort at
modernizing our prisons began in 1952, when the United Nations sent to
The Central Bureau of Correctional
Services was set up under the Ministry of Home Affairs in 1961 to follow up the
recommendations of the All India Jail Manual Committee, to collect information
and statistics on a national basis, to exchange ideas with the various State
Governments and with the U.N., and to undertake training, research, evaluation
and encourage sound social defense policies and programmes within the country.
Several Committees have also been
constituted by the Government of India to study and report about various
aspects of prison reforms some of them are:
1. Model prison Manual, 1960.
2. Working group on prisons, 1972.
3. All
4. National Expert Committee on Women
Prisoners, 1987.
5. All
6. Parliamentary Committee on Empowerment
of Women,2001-02.
At Central level, prisons are a part of
the responsibility of the Ministry of Home Affairs while probation and Juvenile
delinquency are looked after by the Department of Social Welfare. At the State level, there is no uniform
pattern. Generally, an Inspector General
of Prisons looks after the prison
administration.
OBJECTIVE:
Prisons are an integral part of the
Criminal Justice System and function as custodians of prisoners. While the
purpose and justification of imprisonment is to protect the society against
crime, retribution and punitive methods of treatment of prisoners alone are
neither relevant nor desirable to achieve the goal of reformation and
rehabilitation of prison inmates. The concept of Correction, Reformation and
Rehabilitation has come to the foreground and the prison administration are now
expected to also function as curative and correctional centers.
It is our endeavour to make the prisons
Correctional Centers. Our thrust,
therefore, is on Reformation, Correction and Rehabilitation of the prison
inmates and churn out reformed and better citizens from the prisons, who can
lead a hon’ble and dignified life after their release. We firmly believe that often crime is a
creation of compelling circumstances, unsuitable environment and emotional
disturbance resulting in impulsive reactions.
Our
above objective and efforts cannot succeed 100% without the active cooperation,
support and participation by the cross section of the Society for which it is
equally necessary to educate them to give up their inhibition and accept prison
inmates, after their release, with open arms and without any stigma attached to
them.
Karnataka is one of the
progressive states where attempts have
been made for reforming the Jail administration. We have made considerable
strides towards achieving our objectives of Reformation , Correction and
Rehabilitation of Prison inmates and transforming the prison into
curative centers.
INTRODUCTION:
The
Karnataka state has a total of 100 prisons of various classification with an
authorized capacity of 11290 male prisoners and 923 female prisoners totally
12213 prisoners. Out of 100 prisons, the
Central Prison Bijapur is the oldest date back to 1593 A.D. Constructed during
the regime of Adil Shah. Ramanagara Sub Jail is of 18th Century.
1783 A.D. and 25 Jails are of 19th Century.
All Prisons situated in Karnataka fall under the following
classes:
v Central Prisons(8),
v District Prisons(13),
v District Hq Sub Jails(4) ,
v Special Sub Jails(2),
v Taluka Sub Jails(70(29 under Department Control and 41 under Revenue
Department Control)
v
v Juvenile Jail (1),
v Open Air Jail(1).
Following
categories of prisoners confined in Central Prisons:
Ø Prisoners Sentenced to Death
Ø Prisoners sentenced to life imprisonment of all classes
Ø Prisoners sentenced to a term of imprisonment exceeding 10 years of all
classes
Ø Civil prisoners
Ø Prisoners awaiting trail in local courts
Ø Female prisoners
Ø Military prisoners
Ø Juvenile prisoners
Following
categories of prisoners confined in District Prisons::
Ø Prisoners of all classes sentenced to a term of imprisonment not
exceeding or unexpired portion of sentence not exceeding 6 months
Ø Female prisoners
Ø Civil prisoners
Ø Prisoners awaiting trial before local courts
Ø Military prisoners
Ø Juvenile prisoners
Following
categories of prisoners confined in District Hq Sub Jails: Special Sub Jails:
Taluka Sub Jails:
Ø Prisoners sentenced to a term of imprisonment up to 3 months in case of
headquarters sub jails and up to 15days in case of Taluka Sub – jails.
Ø Female prisoners
Ø Prisoners awaiting trial before the local courts
Ø Civil prisoners
Following
categories of prisoners confined in Juvenile Jail , Dharwad:
Ø All Juvenile prisoners convicted by the Courts in the State whose term of
imprisonment exceed 3 months shall be confined at the Juvenile Jail Dharwad.
2. PRISON ADMINISTRATION:
Prison Department
is headed by a Addl. Director General of Police and
Inspector General of Prisons, assisted
by two Deputy Inspector General of Prisons and Gazetted Managers at the Head Quarters. All the Central Prisons, District Prisons,
District Head Quarters Sub-jails, Special Sub jails and Taluka Sub Jails are managed by
Departmental staff. Out of 70 Taluk sub jails, 29 under department control and
41are under Revenue control.
3. ACTS
AND RULES:
Legislation pertaining to the
management and administration of prisons in Karnataka is scattered in different
Acts and Rules as follows:
|
Slno |
Acts
|
|
1 |
Karnataka
Prison Act,1963 |
|
2 |
Karnataka
Prisoners Act,1963 |
|
3 |
|
|
|
Rules |
|
1 |
Karnataka
Prison Rules,1974 |
|
2 |
|
|
|
Manual |
|
1 |
Karnataka
Prison Manual,1978 |
4. STAFF STRENGTH:
In
Prison Department there are in all 2223 Posts existing in different cadres as
on 30.9.2008 Out of them 1611posts are
filled and 612 posts are vacant .
Details
of Staff Sanctioned Strength, Working Strength and Vacancy as on
31.3.2008 is as under
|
Group |
Sanctioned
Strength |
Working
Strength |
Vacant |
|
A
Group |
35 |
26 |
9 |
|
B
Group |
44 |
34 |
10 |
|
C
Group |
2030 |
1477 |
553 |
|
D
Group |
114 |
74 |
40 |
|
Total |
2223 |
1611 |
612 |
5.
Modernization of Prisons Under Perspective Plan 2002-03 :
Central Government
introduced a new non-plan scheme to be implemented over a period of five years
2002-03 to 2006-07 with an outlay of Rs.1800 crore on cost sharing basis in the
ratio 75:25, the share of Central Government being 75% and that of the State
Government 25% with effect from 2002-03.
The Financial allocation for
Component wise Allocations
WORKS
|
AMOUNT (Rs. in crores) |
|
1.
Construction of additional jails to reduce overcrowding; |
21.52 |
|
2. Repair
and renovation of existing jails; |
16.32 |
|
3.
Improvement in sanitation and water supply; and |
0.91 |
|
4. Living
accommodation for Prison’s staff |
15.15 |
|
TOTAL |
53.90 |
Major works that are sanctioned for implementation under the said scheme :
1.
Construction of 11 new jails
2.
Repairs, renovations and expansions at 28
jails
3.
Improvements in water supply and sanitation
at 12 jails,
4.
Construction of 456 Staff quarters taken
up at 23 various locations,
Works completed:
Ø Construction of 8 new jails has been completed
Ø Works of Expansion, Repairs and Renovations at 22 jails have been
completed
Ø Works of Sanitation and Water Supply have been completed
Ø Construction of 411 quarters have been completed.
Most of all Works are completed and an amount of Rs.5175.00
lakhs is being utilized up to the quarter ending as on 30.6.2008
6. TRAINING TO PRISON OFFICERS &
STAFF:
a) REGIONAL INSTITUTE OF CORRECTIONAL
ADMINISTRATION (RICA) FOR SOUTHERN STATES AT
On
the recommendation of the working group on prisons during 1972-73, the 4
southern states viz., Karnataka, Andhara Pradesh, Kerala and Tamil Nadu jointly
established the Regional Institute of Correctional Administration(RICA)for
Southern States at Vellore with effect from 1st October 1979 for
imparting training to higher Executive staff Viz., Jailors, Chief Jailors,
Assistant Superintendents, Probation Officers etc., There are 2 courses, one
for 3 months and the other for 9 months. Karnataka state has 12 seats. So far,
89 officials /officers have undergone the 9 months course and 67 have undergone
the 3 months training course and 70 have undergone short-term course.
b) PRISON TRAINING INSTITUTE MYSORE.:-
The department established a Prison
Training Institute (PTI) at
7. AVERAGE
NUMBER OF PRISONERS & AVERAGE COST :
The daily average jail population
during the past 3 years and average cost per prisoner are as under:
|
Year |
Avg. No. of
Convicts |
Avg. No. of Under trials |
Average
cost per prisoner per annum (In Rupees) |
Avg.Adm.
cost per prisoner per day (In Rupees) |
Avg cost for food per day per prisoner (in Rupees) |
|
2005-06 |
3905 |
7995 |
37538.99 |
102.84 |
16.65 |
|
2006-07 |
3952 |
8489 |
31532.56 |
86.39 |
22.68 |
|
2007-08 |
3933 |
9224 |
35911.688 |
98.388 |
23.64 |
8. REFORMATIVE
MEASURES:
Following are the measures
incorporated in the jail daily routine to facilitate the inmates to correct,
reform and thereafter rehabilitate themselves as good citizens on their release.
|
1 |
Vocational Training in various crafts
of their choice |
|
2 |
Training in
modern techniques of Agriculture, Horticulture, and Sericulture, Sheep
rearing, Dairy farming, Wormi-culture, Manufacture of Organic Manure, Nursery
Seedlings |
|
3 |
Wage
earning scheme |
|
4 |
Sports,
games and cultural facilities |
|
5 |
|
|
6 |
Interview,
letter correspondence and remission system |
|
7 |
Canteen facilities |
|
8 |
Panchayat
system |
|
9 |
Temporary
release facilities on parole and furlough |
|
10 |
Remission system and Premature release |
We are also striving to make the prison
inmates economically self -reliant through training them in various vocational and trade crafts and bring
out their latent skills. The following vocational training programmes have been
incorporated in the jail daily routine :
For imparting training, the following industries are
functioning.
|
1 |
Power loom and
handlooms |
|
2 |
Tailoring
for men and women prisoners |
|
3 |
Carpentry |
|
4 |
|
|
5 |
Printing
|
|
6 |
Foot
wear making |
|
7 |
Tent
making |
|
8 |
Soap and phenyl manufacture |
|
9 |
Black
smithy and steel furniture making |
|
10 |
Laundry |
|
11 |
Training in
modern techniques of Agriculture, Horticulture, and Sericulture, Sheep
rearing, Dairy farming, Wormiculture, Manufacture of Organic Manure, Nursery
Seedlings, Pig raring |
|
12 |
Soft
Toy Making – for Women Prisoners |
|
13 |
Fabric
Painting for Women Prisoners |
|
14 |
Wool
Knitting, Embroidery, |
|
15 |
Bread
and Confectionaries making |
|
16 |
Candle Making |
|
17 |
Beautician
course |
|
18 |
Home
Nursing and Mid wife Training |
|
19 |
Wormiculture
|
|
20 |
Manufacture
of organic manure |
9. AGRICULTURE
AND HORTICULTURE:
Since the majority of the prisoners
are from agricultural background, more importance is given in imparting
training in modern methods of agriculture and horticulture so that when they go
back, they may be engaged in agriculture and horticultural activities for
earning their livelihood. All the major jails have agricultural lands attached
to them. They grow vegetables, jawar, cotton, paddy, sugar cane etc., Tractors
and Tillers have been provided to
Central Prisons at
|
Agricultural
income during the past four years is as under: |
|
|
Year |
Rs.in /lakhs |
|
2004-05 |
43.76 |
|
2005-06
|
31.19 |
|
2006-07 |
41.99 |
|
2007-08 |
32.09 |
10. OPEN AIR JAIL:
Another
reformative measure is the establishment of an Open Air Jail at
Prisoners
work here under minimum security .It has 113 acres of land. The authorized accommodation of the Open Air
Jail, Koramangala is 80. The present population is 32.
11. EDUCATION AND LIBRARY: -
No
restriction is imposed on prisoner in respect of reading materials: They are
allowed to access material for their recreation or nurturing of their skills
and development of personality including their capacity to pursue education
while in jail.
In almost all the major
jails and district jails including Open Air Jail, the library facilities have
been provided for all categories of prisoners, adequately stocked with both
recreational and instructional books. They can pursue their studies through
open universities and classes are being conducted inside the prisons to educate
the illiterate prisoners. Starting
from 1993-2000, totally 149 prisoners
have enrolled for various courses through IGNOU (Indira Gandhi National Open
University) and passed in the respective courses at the cost of Government.
a) Higher Education:
Prisoners
are encouraged to pursue their education at Government cost through different
open universities. 59 prisoners have enrolled for different higher education
courses viz., B.A, M.A, Diploma in Journalism, Post Graduate Diploma in
Business Administration from 2005 to 2007 and Rs 1,93,055.00 was paid towards the fees.
b) Free Distance and
Postal Education:
In
this programme prisoners may pursue their studies and enroll to different
Graduation and post Graduation Courses.
So far 351 prisoners have been enrolled to different
Graduation and post-Graduation courses under this scheme. University will start
communication programme at all central Prisons. So far 183 prisoners have
attended the common entrance examination seeking admission to various courses.
Apart
from the above, they are also being provided daily newspapers, periodicals,
magazines in all the regional language along with TV/Radio and World Space
Radio for their recreation and as well as to link their mind with outside
society.
c)
Suvarna Akshara Andolana: Akshara Kalika Sibhira:
In coordination with District Literacy
Committee 18 day’s literacy camps was organized at Central Prison,
d)Adult
Education Programme :
Adult Education Programme was
organized at Central Prison,
e)English Teaching
Camp:
English Learning classes have been
organized for the benefit of inmates at Central Prison,
12. SPORTS AND CULTURE ACTIVITIES:
The inmates are provided with the
facilities for indoor and outdoor games like Chess, Carrom, Cricket,Volleyball,
Khabaddi, kho-kho etc,. They are facilitated to enact dramas and conduct
cultural programmes on special occasions like Ganesha Festival, Kannada Rajyosatava
etc.,Yoga, meditation classes, Pranic Healing, Art of Living classes are also
being conducted for the benefit prison inmates
13.
WAGE EARNING SCHEME :-
As
per the Government Order No: HD 37 PRA
96, Dated: 22-1-99 wage rates of prisoner have been enhanced to:
Rs. 35.00* -- unskilled prisoner
Rs. 40.00* -- skilled prisoner
Rs. 45.00 * -- highly skilled prisoner
*
Note: the above amount is inclusive of Rs25/- towards food and clothing.
The wage-earning scheme
will facilitate prisoners to accumulate the sizable amount in their account
during their stay in the prisons. This
will help them to rehabilitate after their discharge from the prison. Prisoners can spend their earnings on
purchase of writing materials, payment of fine, to meet the expenses on their
legal obligations and to purchase the essentials in the jail canteen.
Wages earned by prisoners during the
last five years are as under:
|
Year |
Wages Paid (Rs.in Lakhs) |
|
2003-04 |
27.40 |
|
2004-05 |
22.39 |
|
2005-06 |
15.03 |
|
2006-07 |
31.29 |
|
2007-08 |
32.72 |
14.CANTEEN
FACILITIES
:
Canteen
Facilities are also available to the inmates in Central and District jails and
in Borstal School, Dharwad to buy articles like Postages, stationery materials,
sweets, tooth pastes, fried gramdhall, puffed rice, etc.,. Eatables are also
made available along with tea and coffee. They are permitted to spend from
their wages or private cash lodged with prison authorities.
15.
JUDICIAL:
PREMATURE
RELEASE OF LIFE TERM CONVICT PRISONERS:-
a). Consideration of
Premature Release of Prisoners:-
Advisory Boards have been
constituted in all the Central jails for considering premature release of
long-term prisoners. The Karnataka Government has prematurely released
1015-life term prisoners including 45 female prisoners form 1999-2000 to till
date on different occasions.
The details of premature
release
during the past seven years are as under:
|
Year |
No. of prisoners released
|
Occasion |
Date
of Release |
|||
|
1998 |
|
Celebration
of Golden Jubilee Indian |
4-9-98 |
|||
|
2000 |
|
Celebration
of Golden Jubilee Indian Republic day on
26-1-2000 |
26-1-2000 |
|||
|
2001 |
|
54th
year of Indian Independence Celebration on 15-8-2001 |
15-8-2001 |
|||
|
2002 |
|
Gandhi
Jayanthi Celebration on 2-10-2002 |
1-3-2003 |
|||
|
2004 |
|
Republic
day Celebration on 26-1-2004 |
26-1-2004 |
|||
|
2005 |
|
Republic
day Celebration |
26.01.2005 |
|||
|
Independence
Day Celebration |
15.08.2005 |
||||
|
2006 |
|
Republic
day Celebration |
26.01.2006 |
|||
|
Independence
Day Celebration |
15-08-2006 |
||||
|
TOTAL |
|
|
|
16. TREATMENT OF PRISONERS AND FACILITIES:
a. MEDICAL SCREENING: -
Every prisoner on admission is
subjected to detailed medical examination and classification according to prevailing
Rules . Every prisoner is entitled to free healthcare special treatment, dental
/ eye care and sick prisoners are being treated regularly.
b.
ACCOMODATION: -
Proper accommodation is being
provided with proper ventilation, sufficient space and with good lighting
system. Solar water heater facilities are made available in almost all major
jails for the usage of female prisoners and sick prisoners to get hot water for
their bath, etc.
c. CLOTHING &BEDDING: -
Every prisoner is provided with proper
clothing and bedding, utensils according to prescribed scale. They are also provided soap, oil every
week.
DIET
: Nutritious food is
being served as per prescribed scale depending upon food habits of the
prisoner. A balanced diet is prescribed
for the prisoners. The scale of diet
prescribed for the U.T. prisoners is less than the scale prescribed for the
convicts. This is because the undertrial
prisoners don’t work where as convicts work and they need more calories. Different varities of breakfast* and Coffee
are given for breakfast. Ragi balls or
Jowar or Wheat chapattis and rice with sambar are given for the prisoners for
mid-day and evening meals. In addition
to the above items, buttermilk is also given for supper. Food is prepared by the prisoners in the
prison kitchen under the supervision of prisoner Panchas and Warders.
*Different
Varieties of Break fast: Government is pleased to sanction issue
of different varieties of breakfast on all days of the week instead of
uppittu everyday. The quantity of
breakfast to be issued is increased from 180 grams to 250 grams. The details of different varieties
of breakfast issued daily is as
follows:-
Monday- Uppittu
Tuesday- Avalakki
(Beaten Rice)
Wednesday- Chitranna
(Lemon Rice)
Thursday- Vegetable
Palav
Friday- Uppittu
Saturday- Avalakki
Sunday- Puliyogare
(Tamarind Rice)
Saviyoota
: Perhaps
for the first time in the country, prisoner’s food is being outsourced. Prison
Department partially entrusted the work of providing food through the Akshaya Patra Foundation- ISKCON
The Department feels that the
launch of ‘ Saviyoota’- literally
meaning “ tasty food” in Kannada
will usher in an era of tastier, cleaner and mere nutritious food to prisoners.
This facility will be extended to other
remaining Central Prisons of Karnataka.
Mutton
without bones is given
once in a week and for those who are vegetarian, basin laddu sweet is
given. On medical advise special diet
such as Milk, Eggs, Fruits and Bread etc. are issued. On festivals special feeding at the rate of
Rs.3/- per prisoner is also issued. If
the under trial prisoners do not want to take food supplied by the prison they
may arrange to get food from out side from their relatives or friends with the
permission of the Superintendent.
Convicted Prisoners do not have this facility. They have to take the food supplied by the
prison.
v
Vocational
training in different
trades is one of the important reformative measures to rehabilitate the
prisoner for their post prison life. There are allowed to participate in
recreational activities, Yoga classes and indoor and outdoor sports
v
The
Wage-earning scheme will facilitate prisoners to accumulate the
sizable amount in their account during their stay in the prisons. This will help their rehabilitation after
their discharge from the prison
v
Every
illiterate prisoner is being advised to undergo literacy through adult
education programmes and literate prisoners are allowed to persue higher
studies, and they have access to the
prison library.
v
Every
prisoner is entitled to free healthcare special treatment, dental / eye care
and sick prisoners are being treated regularly
v
Every
prisoner is allowed to observe the tenets of this religion, and attend
religious functions and prayers.
v
Prisoners
are entitled to free legal assistance, appeal and petition, to the
concerned courts and are allowed to delegate powers of attorney to settle
property, land, civil suits, business etc., and execute their will.
v
Every
prisoner is allowed to communicate with outside world through letters and
periodical interviews with their legal advisors, family members and friends.
v
Prison
Panchayat is system,
which offers principles of democracy in the prison among the prisoners.
v The Parole and Furlough are the incentives provided to the
prisoners to meet kin and kith, and to rebuild conducive atmosphere for their
post prison life.
Details of release on Parole and
Furlough
during last 5 years are as follows:
|
Year |
No. of Prisoners released on Parole |
No. of Prisoners released on Furlough |
|
2002-03 |
369 |
20 |
|
2003-04 |
371 |
26 |
|
2004-05 |
349 |
15 |
|
2005-06 |
243 |
14 |
|
2006-07 |
469 |
05 |
|
2007-08 |
608 |
- |
|
2008-09 (
up to September2008 |
278 |
- |
|
|
|
|
v
Remission system Rules made under Section 63(2) (e) of the Karnataka
Prisons Act, 1963 to regularize the Shortening of sentence by the grant of
remission.
17. WOMEN PRISONERS AND CHILDREN’S WITH WOMEN PRISONERS- FACILITIES: -
(a) ACCOMMODATION:
Karnataka
state has a total number of 100 prisons of various classification with an
authorized capacity of 12213. Out of which 11290 for male and 993 for female prisoners. As on 30.9.2008 there are 534
women prisoners in various jails of the State. Out of them 166Convicts, 354
Undertrials and 14NDPS.
There
are 25 (12 Male+ 13 Female) children’s below the age of 6 years along with
their mother prisoners in this state.
Central Prison for
Women: A separate
central prison for women prisoners has been started in the state and it is yet
to start functioning.
(b) DIET:
The
female prisoners are being served cooked nutritious food as per the scale
prescribed in the Prison Manual and Rules.
The children of women prisoners are being served food on the scale
recommended by the Medical Officer depending upon their age. On festival days
female prisoners are being served with special extra diet
(c) MEDICAL CARE:
The female
prisoners have been provided with adequate and sufficient medical facilities
and treatment with suitable medical diet to be served to the sick prisoners on
the recommendation of the medical officer. The sick prisoners needing higher
investigation, treatment and surgery are being referred to higher medical
centers for specialized treatment.
In District, District Hq Sub Jails the District
Surgeon and in Taluka Sub jails local Medical Officers are taking care of
health aspects of the female prisoners by periodical visit to the concerned
jails. In Major Jails minilabs, Urinary Analysis kits, Ophthalmic Scopes, X-ray
and ECG machines are set up for better medical treatment of sick female
prisoners. Ambulance vans are also being provided to the major jails to the
take serious sick prisoners to the out side hospitals round the clock.
Non Governmental organizations are doing yeoman service in augmenting the health services in prisons in recent years.
(d)
TRAINING:
Training
in Knitting, Tailoring, Embroidery, Basket making, Dress designing, Fabric
Painting, Candle Making, Agarbatti manufacturing, bag making, bakery products
making, leaf cup making, Midwife and Home Nursing Training etc., are given by
the jail authorities in association with Non Governmental organizations. Sewing machines have been issued to jails
under modernization of prison administration.
(e)
LEGAL ASSISTANCE:
In coordination with the District Legal Service Authorities, Free Legal Aid Camps have been organized regularly in all the jails to create legal awareness among the prison inmates and also to assist them to defend their cases in the respective Courts.
With a view to provide Legal Service to the prison
inmates, a Legal Service Center has been started at Central Prison,
(f) COUNSELING:
Counseling is done by
NGOs both individually and in groups, allowing prisoners to bring out their
pent up feeling of anger and hatred, enable them to accept the realities of
their present situation in life, giving them hope and courage to face the
challenges of future.
(g) RECREATION:
Periodical meditation
courses, cultural programmes, recreation through TV/ Radio, etc., legal aid to
the needy prisoners, better toilets, Hygiene facilities in the barracks,
providing hot water, separate kitchen to cook their food. Literacy programmes,
crèches to the children of women prisoners in coordination with the NGO are
some of the important reformative measures adopted by the Department for
improving the living conditions of prisoners. Prisoners are also trained in
theatre art and also encouraged to stage dramas. World Space Radios have also been installed
at Central Prison,
18. CULTURAL ACTIVITIES:
ENACTMENT OF DRAMA BY PRISONERS
Lonely life behind bars
dissipates human creativity and enthusiasm for engaging oneself in creative
activity. Such a scenario makes our efforts to reform the prisoners is more
onerous and challenging. In order to overcome this and enthuse the prison
inmates and emotionally reform the inmates through the media of theatre and
also provide opportunity to public to view the prison inmates differently,
enactment of a famous drama ‘ Madhavi’, written by well known Play
Wright Late Sri Bhisma Sahani, by the inmates of Central Prison Mysore and
Bangalore, was staged at Karnataka Exhibition Center, Mysore a galaxy of Play
Wrights, Art Critics viewed the drama along with the public. The enactment of
drama and the talent of prison inmates was highly appreciated. The Drama ‘Kurushetra’ by the inmates of
Central Prison,
19. VIDEO CONFERENCING SYSTEM: -
Karnataka is one of the pioneers to introduce production of UTPs through the Video Conferencing System presently installed at 6 Central
prisons i.,e Central Prison Bangalore,
Objective: The
Video Conferencing System is to dispense with the need of physically producing
the under -trials in Courts for adjournments and/ or extension of their
judicial remand. This system speeds up the trials, avoids problems of
non-production of undertrials, prevents escapes, and reduces the expenditures
and overcrowding of undertrials in prisons.
From
the date of inception of the Video Conferencing facilities at the above jails
i.e., from April 2003 up to August 2007,
1,19,722 undertrial prisoners were
produced before the Courts thus effecting savings of about Rs.2,33,25443.00.
Extension
of video conferencing :
In the second phase, installation of the video conferencing facility has
been already taken up at 12 locations i.e., 8 district prisons and 4 district
hq Sub Jails and the concerned courts and works are under final stages of
completion.
20. RECRUITMENT OF JAILORS AND WARDERS:
To over come the shortage of the executive staff, as per the Government
Notification No: E4:CR: 60:2007 dated
19.2.2007, department has completed the
process of recruitment for the posts of 11 jailors and 260 warders. The
appointment orders will be issued as soon as verification reports are received
from various agencies.
INNOVATIONS :-
1. Launch of ‘ New Meal Scheme :
‘Saviyoota’ :
Perhaps for the first time in
the country, prisoner’s food is being outsourced. Prison Department partially
entrusted the work of providing food
through the Akshaya Patra Foundation- ISKCON Bangalore. To this effect a
memorandum of understanding is being
entered into between the Prisons Department and the Akshaya Patra Foundation,
Bangalore as per which the foundation will supply the required quantity of Rice, Sambar and Butter milk for
lunch and Rice and Sambar for evening
Meals to all prisoners at
Central Prison,
The Department feels that the
launch of ‘ Saviyoota’- literally
meaning “ tasty food” in Kannada
will usher in an era of tastier, cleaner and mere nutritious food to prisoners.
This facility will be
extended to other remaining Central Prisons of Karnataka.
2.
Varieties
of Break fast to the prisoners
Government is pleased to
sanction issue of different varieties of breakfast on all days of the week
instead of uppittu everyday. The
quantity of breakfast to be issued is increased from 180 grams to 250 grams. The details of different varieties
of breakfast issued daily is as
follows:-
Monday- Uppittu
Tuesday- Avalakki ( Beaten Rice)
Wednesday- Chitranna ( Lime Rice)
Thursday- Vegetable Palav
Friday- Uppittu
Saturday- Avalakki
Sunday- Puliyogare ( Tamarind Rice)
3. Telephone Facility to the
inmates of all Central Prisons,
Another first, Telephone facility for the inmates has
been provided to the inmates at Central Prison,
4.
VCTC
center at Central Prison,
The HIV/AIDS epidemic in
shifting its epicenter towards prisons gradually. The Anonymous Surveillance
report discloses nearly 6to 7% of the prison population are semantically
affected by HIV infections, with the virus moving beyond prison premises with
high risk behaviour to the general population. The National Aids Control
Programme(NACP II) which is started in 1997 focusing on the targeted
interventions(TIS) for marginalized vulnerable groups as one of its component
was initiated to prevent further spread of the epidemic.
HIV/AIDS
infection is one of the most serious public health problem. Awareness among the
prison staff and prisoners is most essential in the present scenario.
This epidemic throwing threat
to the health and lives in particular and it is likely to undermine the overall
socio-economic development due to high prevalence of Sexually Transmitted
Diseases(STDs). There are different types of epidemic with low, medium and high
prevalence distributed in different prisons. There is a need to utilize
prevailing window opportunity to prevent HIV infection and to strengthen
targeted interventions rigously..
The Karnataka AIDS Prevention Society,
Karnataka Health Promotion Trust and some of the NGO’s like Samraksha,
Karnataka Network for people living with HIV/AIDS, Coustella Future Group, are
motivating with its several programmes to prevent and treat the epidemic
patients. Simultaneously creating awareness among the public is of their prime
objective.
HIV/AIDS is a major challenge in
prisons. The dream of Karnataka Prisons Department was realized on 2.7.2007
when a Voluntary Counselling and Testing Centre (VCTC) was inaugurated at the prison hospital at Central Prison,
Parappana Agrahara,
5.
Free
Tooth Powder and Bathing Soaps to the Prisoners:
In
order to ensure greater dental and general hygiene of prisoners, the Government
of Karnataka is pleased to sanction issue of tooth powder and bathing
soap to the prisoners at Government cost. The Government order has been
issued on 5.9.2007, as per which, each prisoner is entitled to receive 50 grams
of toothpowder at the cost of Rs12 per month and 150 grams of bathing soap at
the cost of Rs 17 per month. The expenditure per year works out to Rs.43,
05,108.00
6.
Reddressal of
Prisoners Grievances: Introduction of
Petition Boxes at various prisons in Karnataka :
Prisoners have been provided
an opportunity to put forth their grievances in grievance boxes at various
jails in Karnataka in co-ordination of the Karnataka Legal Services Authority.
7.
Inter
Departmental Seminar on Correction , Reformation and Rehabilitation of
Prisoners:
For the first time in the Department,
A One day inter-departmental seminar on ‘Correction,
Reformation and Rehabilitation of Prisoners’ was organized on 28.9.2006 at
8.
Rehabilitation
of released inmates :
Karnataka
State Government was pleased to order for premature release of 309 well behaved
convict prisoners on the occasion of Suvarna Karnataka on 15.8.2006. Out of the
309 prisoners,251 prisoners have been identified by the SC & ST Development Corporation Ltd,
Backward Classes Development Corporation Ltd and Minority Development
Corporation Limited for granting them the financial assistances under different
schemes and facilitate them to be
economically self reliant in their post released life. Out of the 251
prisoners, 106prisoners have been sanctioned loans amounting to Rs.22,73,455.00
as detailed below:
|
Name of the Corporation |
No. of Beneficiaries |
Total Loan Amount
Sanctioned |
|
1. Karnataka Minorities Development
Corporation LTD |
16 |
Rs.3,55,705.00 |
|
2. D DevRaj Urs Backward Classes Development
Corporation Ltd |
51 |
Rs13,44,550.00 |
|
3. Dr B R Ambedkar Development Corporation
Ltd |
39 |
Rs 5,73,200.00 |
|
Total |
106 |
Rs.22,73,455.00 |
3 female prisoners who have been released
prematurely has got appointment as Anganwadi Workers and Assistants.
9.
Justice
at Jails : Lok Adalath camps at Prisons :
With a view to provide quick
justice and relief to the undertrial prisoners in the jails Lok Adalath Camps
are being organized in coordination with the judiciary to dispose of the petty
cases. During the year under 107 cases of the prisoners have been disposed and
released 22 prisoners.
10. Special
Facilities to Women Prisoners and Children along with them:
Hon’ble Supreme Court of
India while disposing of Writ Petition(Civil) 559/94 RD Upadhaya vs Andra Pradesh Government and others has given remarkable judgment in
treatment of women prisoners and
children along with them. As per the guidelines issued by the Hon’ble Supreme
Court, Government of Karnataka has amended Rule 86 of Karnataka Prison Rules
1974 and incorporated detailed instructions for providing of diet, clothing to
the children of age group 0-3 years and 3-6 years and also special diet and
extra clothing to the pregnant and lactating women prisoners. Diet and clothing
articles for the children of age group 0- 6 years viz., Stainless Steel Glass,
Stainless Steel Bowl with covering
plate, Stainless Steel Plate, Stainless Steel Spoons, Stainless milk
feeding spoon, 500 ml water container with lid , cotton nappy pads, sweater
with socks, rubber sheet, washable children bed, mosquito net, baby powder,
brush, soap, toys etc.,.
11.
Establishment
of Crèches and Nurseries in the prison premises:
Crèches and Nurseries were
established in all the jails of state for the children with
12.
Reduction
in Parole Security Deposit amount:
In
order to ensure that the underprivileged and marginalized do not face financial
constraints in offering surety and bail for paroles, proposals have been
submitted to the Government to relax parole provisions by making it one
surety and Rs.1,000/- instead of
two sureties and Rs.3,000/- prevailing at present.
13. Procurement of Medicines:
As
the Prison Hospitals are experiencing serious shortage of medicines efforts
have been made to obtain supplies of surplus and short expiry medicines direct
from the manufacturers free of cost as a goodwill gesture
14.
Construction of Court Buildings at Prison
Premises:
Government had agreed and was actively considering the construction of court buildings and setting up of courts, ranging between 1 and 4 courts, next to the prison premises, initially at the Central Prisons and later up to district level prisons.
15. Multi
Point Video Conferencing System:
A multipoint Video Conferencing System, is one of the new initiative in the country,
was installed at the City Court Complex,
16.
Literacy Camps at prisons in coordination with District Literacy
Committees.
17.
Alcohol and Narcotic Drugs de-addiction
programmes have
organised at Central Prison,
18.
Eco-friendly Toilets: In order overcome shortage of the
problem of urinals and latrines at Central Prison, Bangalore owing to
overcrowding, Prisons Department under the aegis of UNICEF and RDPR with
sharing grants of Rs.2.00 lakh and 3.20 lakh respectively has constructed 27
eco friendly Urinals and 27 eco friendly Latrines. Prisoners under the
supervision of engineers from RDPR constructed these toilets.
19.
Training for Superintendents and
Medical officers: in
co-ordination with the NIMHANS, alcohol and drug de-addiction programme was
organized.
20.
Mental Health Care in
Prisons:
A study titled Mental Health Care in Prisons
has been undertaken for the first time in
21.
Dental Clinic at Central
Prison:
Two
dental chairs installed at the Hospital at Central Prison,
22.
Workshop on Juvenile Justice
Act:
In order to sentisize the officers and staff of the
prison department regarding the provisions of Juvenile Justice Act a one day
workshop was organized by involving officers of the prison department and other
stake holders viz., Department of Women and Child Development, Police, Judiciary,
Judicial Justice Board, Child Activists, NGO and CHRI and the workshop
was inaugurated by Executive Chairman Karnataka State Legal Services Authority
and Judge , High Court of Karnataka.
23.
Refurbishing of Wheel Chairs :
Provision Asia an NGO has tied up with Karnataka
Prison Department and the wheel chairs received
from
24.
Prisons News Letter:
We have started the monthly Karnataka
Prisons News Letter, since October 2004, with a wide circulation. Among others, the aims of this News Letter
are to bring in transparency in the prison administration inform the Society of
our endeavours, activities and successes and also to appeal to the
Cross-section of people to come forward and involve themselves in the process
of reformation and rehabilitation of the prison inmates for a better life in
future. The underlying objective is to
impress upon the people the Gandhian Philosophy of ‘hate the sin and not the
sinner’. Prison inmates are encouraged
to contribute their articles/poems for this News Letter. The task is uphill but there is no let up in
our determination to take a small humble step towards the bigger goals.
Staff Welfare
Programmes:
1.
AROGYA BHAGYA Scheme:
The Government of Karnataka has
recently approved our proposal for ‘Arogya
Bhagya Scheme’, a Comprehensive Medical Insurance Scheme, for the benefit
of Officers and Staff of the Prisons Department. Under this
scheme, the members and their spouse and children (below 21 years) will be
eligible for immediate medical assistance and
emergency medical treatment as in patient at enlisted hospitals
2.
Karnataka Prisons Staff
Benevolent Fund:
Considering the risky working
condition of prison staff and officers and to help them and their family, we have formulated Karnataka Prisons Staff
Welfare Fund with an objective to give financial assistance to the staff
members within the frame work of the Rules, members
3.
Issue of Commendation
Certificates:
Those officials & Staff
of the Department who were discharging their duties efficiently and concluding
a special assignment assigned are being
encouraged with the issue of a Commendation of Certificate for their
Commendable work, which will in turn boost their morale and confidence.
4.
30
days Leave Salary to Prison Executive Staff
:
The Government of Karnataka is
pleased to sanction 30 days leave salary in lieu of 15 days leave salary
to the executive staff of Prison Department for working on gazetted holidays.
The Government order to this effect has been issued on 12.9.2007.This is one of
the positive steps taken by the Government to improve the morale and
working condition of prison staff and to
bring them on par with police personnel who have been enjoying this facility
already. This incentive will go a long way in encouraging them to serve the
Department with greater enthusiasm.
BEST PRISON PRACTICES IN PRISON ADMINISTRATION:
Ø
Remission
System
Ø
Yoga
and Meditation courses for the Prisoners with the help of NGO’s , Charitable
Trust, Religious leaders and Institutions.
Ø
Moral
lectures / discourses conducted by spiritual leaders of various organizations.
Ø
Art
of Living Courses
Ø
Pranic
Healing courses
Ø
Religious
discourses
Ø
Adult
Education classes-
Ø
Providing
opportunity to the inmates to continue their education through various open
universities ex. IGNOU, KSOU etc.,
Ø
Facility
for indoor and outdoor games
Ø
Library
facilities
Ø
Television
facilities
Ø
Premature
release of well behaved life imprisonment convict prisoners
Ø
Wage
earning Scheme
Ø
Vocational
training in different trade craft for both convicted (Male &Female)
Ø
Canteen
facilities
Ø
Health
camps-Eye, Skin, Dental, Cardiac, HIV/ AIDS, General Health Check Camps.
Ø
Counseling
sessions both individuals and in groups
Ø
Legal
Assistance, Legal Awareness programmes
Ø
Lok
Adalath camps
Ø
Creche
and Nursery facilities for the children accompanying women inmates
Ø
Arogya
Bhagya Scheme
Ø
Staff
Benevolent Fund
Ø
Video
Conferencing Facility
Ø
CCTV
Facility
Ø
Pay
Telephone Facility
Ø
Interviews
with relatives, friends and Advocates
Ø
Prisoners
Panchayat System
Ø
Special
Courts at Prison Premises
Ø
Metal
Detectors – Doorframe and Hand Held.
Ø
Walkie
Talkie and High Frequency wireless sets
Ø
Introduction
of World Space Radio for the entertainment of prison inmates.
Ø
New
Meal scheme –‘Saviyoota’ by Akshaya Patra Foundation – ISKCON- to the prisoners
of Central Prison,
Ø
Issue
of Varieties of Breakfast
Ø
VCTC centre, Central Prison, Bangalore
Ø
Free
Tooth Powder and Bathing Soaps to prisoners
Ø
Installation
of grievance boxes
Ø
Inter
departmental seminar on ‘Correction, Reformation and Rehabilitation of
Prisoners’
Ø
Rehabilitation
of Prematurely released convict – financial assistance by – D. Devraj Urs
Backward Classes Development Corporation Ltd., Karnataka Minorities Development
Corporation Ltd, Dr.B.R. Ambedkar Development Corporation Ltd
Ø
Speedy
disposal of cases through Lok Adalath Camps
Ø
Implementation
of guidelines issued by Hon’ble Supreme court in Writ Petition No: 559/94
between R.D. Updhaya vs Andra Pradesh Government and others- treatment of women
–lactating and pregnant and children’s of women prisoners.
a) Extra Nutritious food to the Lactating
and Pregnant women prisoners
b) Extra clothing to the women prisoners
c) Nutritious diet to the children’s with
women prisoners of age group 0-6 years.
d) Issue of clothing , bedding and
utensils etc to the children’s with women prisoners
e) Amendment to the Rule 86 of Karnataka
Prison Rules 1974
f)
Incorporation
of a new chapter- for
treatment of Children and Pregnant and Lactating Women Prisoners in Karnataka
Prison Manual 1978.
Ø
Reduction
of Parole Security deposit amount from Rs6000- to Rs1000.
Ø
Procurement
of free medicines from the Drug Manufacturers & whole sale drug
distributors
Ø
Construction
of eco friendly toilets at Central Prison ,
Ø
Awareness
programmes on Alcohol and Narcotic Drugs and Drugs De-addiction for the prisoners
--------
Proposed Works :
1. Perspective Plan Phase II :
Following works have been proposed under Perspective Plan Phase-II & a proposal in this regard has
been submitted to Central Government.
Ø Construction
of 2 Separate Annex at Central prison,
Ø Construction
of 6 Female jails
Ø Construction
of one new open air jail
Ø Construction
of 5 taluka sub jails
Ø Repair,
Renovations at 7 Central jails, 1 Women Central Prison, 12 District Prisons, 3
District Hq Sub Jails, 14 Taluka Sub Jails, 1 Special Subjail and open air
jail.
Ø Solid waste Management facilities
at all Central Prisons.
Ø Construction
of Modest Multi purpose auditoria
for screening films for induction into prison, equipped with LCD projector ,
screen etc.,
Ø
Ø Improvements
to water supply and sanitation at 7 central prisons and 7 taluka sub jails
Ø
Ø Construction
of 1468 quarters to various ranks of
officers and staff
Ø Technology and other equipments
required for improving infrastructure in respect of Security , communication,
mobility, modernizing and upgrading kitchens
, water treatment plant and general administration at various prisons.
Proposed Works under State Plan scheme
Ø
Construction of Video Conferencing
Studio at Central Prison Bangalore at an estimated cost of Rs 53.00 Lakhs
Ø
Renovation of Video Conferencing Studio
at District Hq Sub Jail Hassan at an estimated cost of Rs 5.80
Ø
It is proposed to install Mobile Jammers, CCTV, Computers, Xerox
Machines, X- Ray Baggage, Deep Search Metal Detectors in the remaining amount.
Contact
Information:
1)
Mr.G.Veerabadhra Swamy 2)
Dr.Anitha . R
Chief Superintendent, Assistant Superintendent
Central Prison , and Public Information Officer.
Phone No: +91 821
2492089
Fax.No :
+91 821 2492092
E-MAIL:
chiefsupdtmys@rediffmail.com