Study on the Communication Needs of Women and Children in Prisons released in Lucknow by Chief Secretary, Uttar Pradesh

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  • Women inmates live in a prison inside the prison- Study has presented suggestions for improving prison life
  • 6 jails of UP were chosen for the study
  • Prison Radio was started in District Jail, Agra during the study
  • Prison radios were later launched in the jails of Haryana and Uttarakhand
  • Study was carried out by prison reformer and media educator Vartika Nanda

A detailed research report titled, “Study of the condition of women inmates and their children in Indian Prisons and their communication needs with special reference to Uttar Pradesh” , conducted under the aegis of Indian Council of Social Science Research (ICSSR), was released today in Lucknow by Shri Manoj Kumar Singh (IAS), Chief Secretary, Uttar Pradesh and Shri P. V. Rama Sastry, Director General of Police/Inspector General Prison, Prison Administration and Reform Services, Uttar Pradesh.

The research was carried out by prison reformer and media educator Dr. Vartika Nanda, sanctioned by ICSSR.  The study has been evaluated as ‘outstanding’ by ICSSR. The study covered  one year period, between March 2019 to 2020. Since the pandemic started in 2020, the study also incorporated the communication needs of inmates during the pandemic.  Even after the submission, the research work has continued in the form of continued contribution to jail life.

Centre of Study

District Jail, Agra was selected as the main centre of study for this project. This is one of the oldest jail buildings in India, built in the year 1741 A.D. Apart from this, 5 other jails, namely, Nari Bandi Niketan, Lucknow, District Jails of Ghaziabad, Gautam Buddha Nagar and Banda and  Central Jail, Naini, Prayagraj were especially chosen for study.

Uttar Pradesh is the most populous state of India, which recorded the highest number of women inmates and their children in 2018 and also has the highest number of convicts and under trials. Considering these facts, the study had carefully chosen 6 major prisons from all over the state; eastern (Banda and Prayagraj), western (Ghaziabad, Gautam Buddha Nagar and Agra) and central Uttar Pradesh (Lucknow).  The study  also incorporates several references from other Indian jails, including Delhi Prisons, Tihar.

Officers’ speak

While releasing the report, Shri Manoj Kumar Singh remarked that this is a landmark work and crucial suggestions for the welfare of women inmates and their children should be implemented. These include health care, separate enclosures for the children staying with their mothers in the jail, skill enhancement and courses for women jail staff.

Shri P. V. Rama Sastry, Director General of Police/Inspector General Prison, Prison Administration and Reform Services, Uttar Pradesh- “As spoken about various welfare measures are being taken for women prisoners and children living with them. These includes separate accommodation and construction of barracks for women prisoners, enhancement of healthcare facilities as well as education and skill training initiatives.”

According to Vartika Nanda, Head, Department of Journalism, Lady Shri Ram College, Delhi University,” This was an action-oriented research which paved way to several crucial changes in prisons, including introduction of prison radio in the jails of Haryana and District Jail, Dehradun in Uttarakhand. These prison radios are helping inmates immensely in improving their mental health and fulfilling their communication needs.”

Relevant links:

  1. जेल का रेडियो, तिनका तिनका और एक बंदी रजत। Tinka Jail Radio। Tinka Tinka Foundation। Vartika Nanda – YouTube
  2. Tinka Jail Radio in District Jail, Agra। तिनका जेल रेडियो। Uttar Pradesh। Tinka Tinka Foundation (youtube.com)

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