Why Tihar Jail's comforts are a draw for some inmates

Almost 25 per cent of undertrials lodged in Tihar jail are repeat offenders, who often check in the jail premises only because they cannot make ends meet outside.

Almost all of them are above 35 years of age and belong to low income groups. For them, spending their lives in jail is more comfortable, sources claimed, while quoting the confessions of undertrials.

Meet Rehman (name changed), who entered the world of crime at the age of 21. He killed a man in Seelampur after a heated argument. He then landed in Tihar jail, where he spent five years. He later came out on bail, got married, and had a daughter.

"After spending 18 months outside Tihar, he started missing his life in jail. To return behind the bars, he indulged in petty crimes such as snatching and theft, but was unable to get himself caught by police. He then started stalking a Delhi University girl who filed a case against him that landed him in Tihar jail," said a source in the jail quoting Rehman's tainted past.

While his name was registered in the repeat offenders list, he narrated the reason for committing a crime again. He remained behind bars for 18 months, and his release was later secured by his wife. This time, when he returned, he had gained weight and started acting like the 'dada' of the area as he had been to Tihar twice.

Rehman's daughter had grown up. He did not want to work and he had no money left to survive. He asked his wife to go back to her paternal home, claiming that he couldn't take care of them. However, she denied, despite several assaults by him.

Last year, Rehman killed a man in a theft attempt in Northeast Delhi. Two months after the crime, he was nabbed by police and sent back to Tihar jail. This time, authorities asked him the reason for his repeat offences.

He then said he didn't have money to survive, and that the facilities that he got inside the jail - from food to medical care - were much better than what he got in the world outside. "It's better to stay inside than to struggle outside for livelihood," he reportedly told authorities.

'I GET A ROOF, PROPER FOOD AND WATER'

Meanwhile, another repeat offender who returned to jail on purpose confessed to authorities that "In Tihar jail, I get a roof to spend the night (under), proper food and water, my health is well taken care of, and my life is disciplined now. I have learned carpentry and spend my day making furniture, which gets sold in Tihar haat."

Speaking to Mail Today, an official requesting anonymity said, "More than 15,000 inmates are lodged in Tihar jail. Out of them, 80 per cent are undertrials. Around 25 per cent of undertrials are repeat offenders and they enjoy their life in jail."

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