Lok Sabha Question No. 1167 (UNSTARRED), answered on 2018-12-18
Subject: Condition of Jails and Observation Homes
Ministry: HOME AFFAIRS
Asked by: C. N. JAYADEVAN

## GOVERNMENT OF INDIA

## MINISTRY OF HOME AFFAIRS

## LOK SABHA UNSTARRED QUESTION NO. 1167

TO BE ANSWERED ON THE 18 th  DECEMBER, 2018 / AGRAHAYANA 27, 1940 (SAKA)

CONDITION OF JAILS AND OBSERVATION HOMES

1167.     SHRI C.N. JAYADEVAN:

Will the Minister of HOME AFFAIRS be pleased to state:

(a) whether the Government's attention has been drawn to the observation made  by  two  Supreme  Court  judges  regarding  the  primeval  condition  in jails  and  observation homes where under trial prisoners and children are housed;

(b) if so, the details thereof; and

(c) the measures being taken to improve the condition in the prisons and observation homes in the Capital?

## ANSWER

MINISTER OF STATE IN THE MINISTRY OF HOME AFFAIRS (SHRI HANSRAJ GANGARAM AHIR)

(a)  &  (b):    Two  Supreme  Court  Judges  had  visited  Faridabad  Jail  and Observation Home on June 3, 2018  and   found certain deficiencies,   such as non-availability of police to escort juveniles to Courts, adjournment of proceedings of the Court is granting bail bonds; lack of video conference facility  in  juvenile  homes;  instances  of  witnesses  not  being  examined by the  Court  on  the  ground  of  non-availability  of  time;  need  for  strict monitoring to ensure that no witness is returned unexamined; adjournments being granted leisurely in respect of  long  custody  in  petty cases; parole procedure  unduly  prolonged in  the  absence of timelines; in

## L.S.US.Q NO. 1167 FOR 18.12.2018

spite  of  availability  of  land,  convicts  whose  labour  could  be  utilized  in agriculture  or  animal  husbandry  operations  not  utilized;  unsatisfactory situation of  infants being with their mothers in custody; number of trials monitoring designated  vigilance  Judge  may  periodically  visit  jails;  panel  advocates appointed  by  Legal  Services  Authority  found  to  have  no  knowledge  of rights of prisoners etc; many persons are in custody for default of payment are prolonged awaiting forensic reports; for effective of maintenance for long periods. (c):   The measures taken to improve the condition of Jails in the NCT of Delhi  are  at  Annexure.  Further,  the  Government  of  NCT  of  Delhi  has informed  that  they  have  already  started  implementation  of  orders  of Hon'ble Supreme Court including Video Conferencing Facility for Juvenile Justice Boards.

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## L.S.US.Q NO. 1167 FOR 18.12.2018 Annexure

## Steps taken by NCT Delhi to improve the conditions in jails in Delhi:

1. Around 979 CCTV Cameras have been installed to monitor the activities of the prisoners.
2. Regular search are conducted in all the wards including High Security ward of each jail.
3. Special search teams headed by Senior Official are constituted at the head  quarter for conducting surprise checks in various prisons on regular basis.
4. Alarm parade are conducted  regularly for checking the alertness of the staff  at any point of time.
5. Reshuffling of the prisoner is carried out in every jail with the view to break the nexus of the inmates.
6. In order to ensure round the clock supervision over the inmates' activities, one Dy. Superintendent  is  deployed  inside  the  prison  from  morning  lock-out  till  evening lock-up.
7. Gumsum  group  formed  specifically  among  the  inmates,  for  identifying  such inmates who  seems  to be depressed. Regular interaction and necessary counselling is done to keep them busy and stress free.
8. There  is  120  bedded  hospital  at  Central  Jail  No.3,  Tihar  and  dispensaries  in each jail for providing round the clock health care to the prisoners. Further deaddiction centre for drug addicted prisoners is functional in Central Jail No.3, Tihar
9. NGOs also assist in forming a self sufficient community for prisoners to lead a harmonious community life with tolerance towards each other like respect for each other's sentiments intermixing of persons of different castes, creeds, language and religion celebration of festivals by all, Respect for elders, Character and education workshops on regular basis, Regular sports and cultural programmes.
10. There is a Behaviour Therapy ward with 20 bedded capacity, where treatment for mental health is provided by the Psychiatrist.
11. Welfare Officer from Social Welfare  Department, GNCT of Delhi also   augments counselling to the needy prisoners.
12. Free legal aid facilities are provided to the inmates through the advocates of Delhi State Legal Services Authority (DSLSA)/ Delhi High Court Legal Services Committee (DHCLSC).
13. Vocational  training  is  provided  to  the  inmates  for  various  courses.  Various vocational  courses are being taken-up by Delhi Prison to create self confidence  in  the  prisoners.  The  prisoners  engaged  in  various  vocational activities such as Blanket unit, Soap unit,  artificial flower unit, Dhoopbati making,  Fashion  Designing,  Art  &  Craft,  Shoe  making,  weaving  section, cutting and tailoring, Beauty Parlour, Plumber' electrical papad and pickle making, bakery unit etc.
14. There  are  frequent  visits  by  Additional  Sessions  Judges  to  inspect  the condition of prisons.
15. In association with National Literacy Mission, Ministry of HRD, Govt. of India,"Padho Aur Padhao" had been  launched  in  Delhi  Prisons.  This  program  is vigorously followed in all the jails and the result the literacy rate had declined from 40% to around 5%.  Further, National Institute of Open Schooling  and Indra Gandhi National Open University have  opened their sub centre in Delhi Prison to provide education to the inmates. Also  the  computer  centre  has  been established in jails for imparting computer literacy to the prisoners.