A few weeks back, I visited The Central Jail Headquarters, Tihar
(fortunately as a researcher). It reminded me of my detailed visit to the place
a couple of months back for the educational purposes.
As a part of my MBA (OK! Post Graduate Diploma in Management) from IIM
Calcutta 2015-17 batch, I rarely got any opportunity to study cases about
government institutions’ management styles (especially in a positive light). We
used to focus most of our cases towards private sector firms.
Reason being, we (most of the Indians) always tend to think that if it's a
government institution, then its management is most likely to be messed up. However,
it's not all our fault as government institutions are best known for their
inefficiency, scams, NPAs etc. So, obviously B-schools are not entirely wrong
when they think that our government's management style is not the best thing to
teach to the young minds and future business leaders.
*Coming back to my visit*
One day I happened to read an article about Tihar jail, the largest prison
complex in South Asia. It disclosed surprisingly very interesting facts.
The institution is running approximately 2 times its sanctioned capacity of
8098. And the total number of escapes in the past 50 years is just SIX (whoa!!
And we were talking about inefficiencies).
These facts were enough for me to request the authorities for an official
visit to the prison complex. I wanted to know about how these people are
managing the institution which is running double its capacity, so well.
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| Tihar jail |
By the way there are 9 central prisons in Tihar complex, 1 district prison
in Rohini and 6 in Mandoli.
Since there are so many jails, you must be wondering about the Jail-wise
lodging policy. So, here’s a quick look at the same:
Jail No. 1: All the prisoners whose name start with alphabets ‘S’, ‘Y’ and
‘X’. All detenues except NSA
Jail No. 2: All the convicts sentenced to 10 years and above. All detenues
under NSA, PSA and civil prisoners
Jail No. 3: All the prisoners whose name start with alphabets ‘B’, ’V’, ‘C’,
‘D’, ‘E’, ‘F’ and ‘G’
Jail No. 4: All the prisoners whose name start with alphabets ‘A’ and ‘R’
Jail No. 5: All the convicts sentenced for less than 10 years
Jail No. 6: All the female prisoners
Jail No. 7: All the adolescent prisoners whose age group is between 18 to
21 years. Such prisoners shall be shifted to their respective jails as per the
lodging schedule, on completion of 21 years of age.
Jail No. 8/9: All the prisoners whose name start with alphabets ‘J’, ‘Z’, ‘L’,
‘M’, ‘N’
District Jail, Rohini: All prisoners whose name start with alphabet ‘H’, ‘I’,
‘K’, ‘Q’, ‘O’, ‘P’, ‘T’, ‘U’, ‘W’
*I know that you all secretly looked out for your alphabets ;)*
Luckily I got the opportunity to visit one of the Jails there. To my
surprise there were around 2000 prisoners in that single jail.
As told by an official, every jail Superintendent (A jail Superintendent heads
each jail and Deputy Superintendents, Assistant Superintendents, Head Warders
and Warders assist him/her) is allowed to organize recreational activities in
his/her jail as he/she deems fit.
So, this jail was famous for its IGNOU learning centers (high level study
facilities).
At first I was deathly scared to enter the ward. But once I entered the
place, I soon forgot that the people I was surrounded with were once criminals.
Let me tell you, it was NOTHING like we are used to see in the movies.
There were no stripped uniforms, no dingy cells. Though the complex was holding
prisoners multiple times its capacity, there was enough space for everyone. The
environment looked quite clean and green.
A helpful staff member explained how a prisoner’s typical day at Tihar
begins and ends with a jail prayer, while various productive activities are
being carried out throughout the day. I was surprised to see that in each ward
there were temples for Hindu prisoners, mats for Muslim prisoners and so on. A
number of Volleyball & badminton courts, basketball courts and TT tables
could be easily spotted.
I was amazed to see IGNOU learning centers the most. When I entered there,
Whoa!! I was no more in a Jail, but a school. There were classes going on like
I used to see in my school days. There were Painting, Stuffed toys making,
Dramatics, Instrumental music and Vocal music classes, computer teaching
facility, Cable TV, in-jail FM radio run by the inmates and what not. And then there was this huge library with a variety of books! (BTW, if
anyone wants, he/she can donate his/her books here).
I got the opportunity to watch various dramatics and musical performances
of the inmates and, was amazed by the talent that these people had. It was an
epitome of the fact that there is a good side in each of us.
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| Musical Performance by inmates |
As far as the interpersonal conduct at Tihar is concerned, I observed that
everyone was talking to everyone with a lot of respect. It did not matter that
whether the communication was flowing from an official to a prisoner, a
prisoner to an official, between prisoners or between officials. The kind of
positive environment Tihar jail complex provides while following all the rules,
made even the prisoners behave quite cooperatively. I especially liked the
concept of open and semi open jails. These are established as a reward for the
good conduct of a prisoner with no pending cases.
In semi open prisons, prisoners
are even allowed to run canteens for the administrative staff and then by the
end of the day, these prisoners themselves would return to their cells.
And, how can I forget their kitchen! Again, unlike in movies, the dal was
not just a cup full of water, but was thick and super tasty. Moreover, as a
routine activity, the food was also checked by the doctors before being fed to
the prisoners and was provided in enough quantity. Overall, the food was
delicious, wholesome and hygienic.
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| Kitchen, Tihar Jail |
Further, if you think this place is
untouched by technology, then you are grossly mistaken. There were touchscreen kiosks for the
prisoners giving them information on the probable date of release, remission
earned, punishment, training, parole and furlough etc. Video conferencing
facility between courts and prisoners was available. Smart cards were issued to
carry out all the canteen transactions (Tihar is the first cashless jail in
India). Besides all of this and much more, there were web based prisoner and
visitor management systems in use.
Last but the most crucial thing I want to talk about is the security. The
prison walls were high and towers were fully guarded by vigilant and alert
police men. The complex possessed a 3 tier Security system.
Tier I: Peripheral and Tower security manned by Paramilitary forces with 4
mobile quick reaction teams (QRTs) equipped with automatic weapons and bullet
proof jackets.
Tier II: Searching and frisking at the jail entrance by Tamil Nadu Special
Police (this is especially done in order to create language barriers between prisoners
and the security officers).
Tier III: Management of the internal security by prison staff.
With such a high class security in place, I don't think so a sane prisoner
will ever try a Tihar jailbreak (This explains: “why only six escapes so far?”).
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| Tight security at Tihar Jail |
All in all, there was so much positivity in the environment that I actually felt that the administration is trying its best to make Tihar jail a true correctional center.
*Time for some more Tihar Gyaan*
Just as this jail’s (the one I visited) specialty was its IGNOU centers,
there are other jails in the complex at which various activities such as
Carpentry, Weaving, tailoring, chemical, paper, spices, soaps, sweets and
blankets are carried out. The combined annual turnover of these productive
units is ~Rs. 21.25 crores. Similarly, the annual turnover of Tihar bakery is ~Rs.
7.47crores.
Besides their safe detention and release, Tihar jail prisoners are provided
with all the basic minimum facilities required to maintain the human dignity.
These facilities are not limited to, but include free legal aid and creche
facilities for the children (up to 6 years of age) staying with female prisoners.
There is a 24x7 hospital (200 beds) and a 24x7 dispensary in each jail.
Here, special care has been taken to ensure that the prisoners should gain
employable skills. Around 1200 inmates will be trained by national skill
Development partners in the trades like BPO, Data Entry Operator, Cookery
Electrician, Beauty and Wellness etc. They will provide placement/job offer to
the inmates, after their release.
Moreover, these prisoners are also enjoying the fruits of various PM
schemes. Under Jan Dhan Yojna, the bank accounts of 3500 inmates are being
opened with the Tihar branch of Indian Bank. Swachh Tihar Abhiyan was launched
on 2/10/2014 and Aadhar cards have been issued to 6384 inmates (287 females).
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| Prisoners at work, Tihar Jail |
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Automotive Manufacturing Unit run by inmates, Tihar Jail |
*Time to Ponder*
As lawful citizens, we can’t help but think that “why so many facilities
are being provided to these criminals?”.
I believe that the main reason behind this is to keep them mentally
occupied and, give them a fair second chance to start afresh and become a good
human being, who respects the law. But then, the topic is fairly debatable.
*Anyway*
At the end of my visit I knew how the authorities were managing so many
prisoners, so efficiently.
My overall experience entirely changed the way I used to look at the prison
complexes. At Tihar, rehabilitation and reform programs seem to be running
quite successfully. Prisoners are being motivated to become better human beings
by involving them in various vocational, spiritual, educational and recreational
activities in association with reputed NGOs (like ISKON, Art of Living, Music
one records, Panchwati Yogashram and many more). There, they are learning to
become a useful citizen of the country, who respects the law. Obviously, nobody
will feel happy to be a prisoner, but they (prisoners) all seemed satisfied.
The key learning I am taking away from this place is - Love and care can
give any person a huge amount of motivation to become a better human being. But
that doesn't mean that the faults can be ignored. A delicate balance is what
needs to be struck.
Finally, I would like to give a big vote of thanks to the Tihar Jail staff
for their cooperation. I am glad that I got such a golden opportunity to visit
the place. I hope I would be able to make good use of my visit in the future
(not only as a part of my management career, but also in life) and will try to
give something back to the place as well.
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-Any Suggestions or Comments are most welcome.
THANKS AND HAPPY READING, ADIEU.
ISHIKA GUPTA
