The Chhattisgarh Prisoners Welfare and Rehabilitation Policy, 2001
Published vide Notification No. F-1-11/Jail/2001, dated 21-11-2001, C.G. Rajpatra (Asadharan), dated 24-11-2001
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The Government of Chhattisgarh has evolved a comprehensive Prisoners Welfare and Rehabilitation Policy focussing on the welfare of prisoners and their eventual successful integration into the mainstream of society. The following are the main objectives of the jail policy :-
(1) Productive use of the time and energies of prisoners.
(2) Improvement in the physical, mental and spiritual health of prisoners.
(3) Protection of juvenile delinquents and women prisoners from all kinds of exploitation.
(4) A comprehensive rehabilitation programme for prisoners to ensure their successful integration into the mainstream of society.
(5) Involvement of NGO's wherever feasible to supplement governmental efforts.
1. Productive use of the time and energies of prisoners. - It is essential to keep prisoners occupied for as the saying goes "An idle mind is the devil's workshop". Work, both physical and mental, will keep the prisoners alert, active and act as a safeguard against their slipping into depression.
Literacy classes would involve both the literate and the illiterates (as teachers and taught respectively). They would sharpen the mental faculties of prisoners and boost their confidence levels.
Vocational training serves the twin purposes of productive use of the energies of prisoners and of facilitating their rehabilitation in the long run. Besides the traditional trades, such as tailoring, knitting, carpentry, jute articles etc., new trades would be identified, keeping in view the abilities of prisoners. In view of the increasing use of computers in today's world, the educated among the juvenile delinquents can be imparted computer skills.
2. Improvement in the physical, mental and spiritual health of prisoners. - A holistic approach covering the physical, mental and spiritual facets is necessary in order to improve the health and general well being of prisoners. Physical training drill on a regular basis, as well as outdoor games would help keep prisoners physically active. The drill and games would be devised for different groups of prisoners, keeping their potential and limitations in mind.
Literacy classes would sharpen the mental faculties of prisoners. All efforts shall be made to encourage educational pursuits of prisoners.
Prisoners in general and those serving long sentences in particular run the risk of developing a negative brooding attitude. This is in the interest of neither the prisoners themselves nor of the society at large. While it is necessary for them to realise the mistakes of the past and resolve not to repeat them in future, they must learn to develop a positive, forward looking approach, with this end in view sessions in ethics and moral values shall be incorporated into the schedule.
3. Protection of juvenile delinquents and women prisoners from all kinds of exploitation. - It is of utmost importance to completely segregate juvenile delinquents from adult prisoners. Hence a Borstal institution is proposed to be set up at Raigarh district.
Similarly, total segregation of women prisoners is essential. It is also important that female jail staff be placed incharge of women prisoners.
4. A comprehensive rehabilitation programme for prisoners to ensure their successful integration into the mainstream of society. - One of the biggest problems faced by prisoners on their release from jail is that of rehabilitation. The vocational training programmes are integral part of the rehabilitation scheme. New vocations (such as computer operator) shall be identified in keeping with the changing times and skills imparted to prisoners with an aptitude. Rehabilitation package has to be tailor made for each individual prisoner taking into account his aptitude, past experience, period to be spent in jail etc. Hence it is proposed to constitute a Rehabilitation Committee which will provide the blue print for a comprehensive rehabilitation programme.
5. Involvement of NGO's wherever feasible to supplement governmental efforts. - In view of the shortage of financial and manpower resources, it is necessary to involve identified NGO's in different spheres such as health, vocational training. Literacy, rehabilitation programme etc. Involvement of NGO's would also be one way of keeping the prisoners in some kind of contact with the rest of society.
