Pramesh S Jain
Karnataka State Women’s Commission Chairperson Dr. Nagalakshmi Chowdhary on Tuesday visited the Parappana Agrahara Central Prison and reviewed the facilities,grievances and concerns of women inmates.
During her visit,Chowdhary interacted with women prisoners and inspected the prison kitchen,food quality, drinking water facilities,sanitation,medical and psychiatric services,childcare arrangements and other basic amenities.
She also visited the school and skill-development centres inside the prison and appreciated the arrangements for educating children of women inmates from different states and countries.
She stressed the need to give greater priority to education and skill-development programmes aimed at rehabilitating inmates.
Chowdhary also personally examined complaints regarding alleged irregularities in the prison,sought details from officials and discussed corrective measures.
Foreign nationals among those unable to secure release
Chowdhary said several inmates continue to remain incarcerated despite being granted bail or completing their sentences because they are unable to pay bail amounts or arrange sureties.
She said the issue particularly affects some foreign nationals, including those from Pakistan,Bangladesh and South Africa.
“I have instructed the authorities to examine legally permissible alternative arrangements for bail amounts.I will also take up with the government the issue of enabling the release of eligible inmates,”she said.
Tastes inmates’ food:
During her inspection of the prison kitchen,Chowdhary personally tasted the mudde, rice and sambar served to inmates to assess their quality.
She instructed prison officials to ensure that food quality and hygiene are consistently maintained.
She also noted a shortage of prison staff but appreciated the existing personnel for performing their duties with dedication and responsibility.
“Inmates too are a part of society,and it is our duty to treat them with humanity and dignity.We must ensure that their basic facilities, health,mental wellbeing, education and rehabilitation needs are adequately met,” Chowdhary said.
