Delhi Commission for Women red-flags congested cells for women at Tihar Jail

NEW DELHI: During their inspection of Tihar Women’s Jail on Tuesday, DCW chief Swati Maliwal and her team found that three inmates are kept in one congested cell and nothing separates the toilet are inside it. Delhi Commission for Women recommended a door for the toilet.
They began the visit by meeting the director general, prisons and other senior officials. While discussing the functioning of the jail and the challenges faced by the authorities, the team was informed that it had 275 inmates, out of which 240 are undertrials and 35 convicts.

A legal cell is being run inside the jail and a lawyer comes in the afternoon after 3pm to help the inmates with their cases. Considering the number of inmates, DCW recommended engaging five lawyers.
The inmates are usually allowed to meet their family members in a designated room under the Mulakat programme, but it has been suspended due to Covid-19. DCW suggested resuming the programme till the time Covid stays under control.
To ensure rehabilitation of these women, the authorities have introduced fashion designing, make-up and computer courses, and also yoga and vipassna practices, but all have been put on hold due to absence of proper teachers and trainers.
While the women inmates engaged in various jobs on the premises get minimum wages, the government deducts Rs 340 as living expenses, while the inmates who don’t work don’t have to pay any charge. To encourage women to work, DCW recommended abolition of these charges for everybody.
Among the items made under the brand name TJ’s are clothes, office files, biscuits, namkeens and jewellery. These products are already sold outside. Recommending widescale promotion of these products, DCW said the government should encourage its departments to buy products from Tihar to help these women’s rehabilitation.
It was found that a well equipped creche for toddlers and other young children living with their mothers on the premises lacks teachers and caretakers. As it hampers the children’s growth, DCW suggested deployment of efficient personnel.
The commission also recommended regular sensitisation of the jail staff, addition of more books in the library, and initiating deaddiction programmes.
Maliwal said, “Almost 80% of the inmates are undertrials. Reforms need to be undertaken to ensure that when released, the women can restart their lives and leave crime.”