The Parliamentary Standing Committee on Home Affairs has recommended substantial improvements in the conditions and treatment of women prisoners in Indian jails. The committee's findings shed light on the dire situation faced by pregnant women prisoners and their children who are often confined in overcrowded facilities alongside other inmates.
Led by Brij Lal, a former IPS officer and current BJP MP in the Rajya Sabha, the committee's report underscores the need for pregnant women in prison to be allowed to give birth outside the confines of jail. Furthermore, it insists that proper care, including access to nutrition, shelter, vaccinations, education, recreational space, and support for physical growth, must be provided to newborns.
One of the most significant recommendations put forth by the committee is to permit babies to stay with their mothers in jails until they reach the age of 12. The report highlights the challenges faced by women prisoners and asserts that despite laws designed to protect women, discrimination against them is still prevalent in various aspects of life. The report acknowledges that when a woman has a run-in with the law, her difficulties often multiply.
Moreover, the committee expresses concerns over the absence of borstal schools in several states and union territories, citing only Tamil Nadu and seven other states as having such facilities. To rectify this, it recommends the establishment of 2-3 borstal schools in states where they are currently nonexistent. Special attention is drawn to the need for dedicated infrastructure for transgender prisoners.
The report also identifies that many states, housing a substantial number of prisoners, fail to meet established norms. After conducting a thorough study, the committee recommends the creation of an All-India Jail cadre of Union Territories (UT) to enhance prison management across the country.
Additionally, the committee acknowledges that the majority of natural deaths among Indian prisoners result from heart problems, lung-related ailments, cancer, and tuberculosis. These findings underscore the need for comprehensive reforms in the prison system to safeguard the well-being and rights of inmates, particularly women and their children.
This report reflects a significant step towards addressing the challenges faced by women prisoners in India and underscores the importance of providing them with improved facilities and conditions that align with human rights and dignity.
