National: Delhi Home Minister Kailash Gahlot visited Tihar Jail number-three and six on Saturday. The purpose of this visit was to further strengthen the Delhi government's commitment towards reforms in the correctional system inside the jails. During this, the Home Minister highlighted the Delhi government's commitment to improve the living conditions of prisoners, welfare of employees and further improve facilities. 

Delhi Home Minister Kailash Gehlot was accompanied by Home Secretary Chanchal Yadav, Director General of Prisons Satish Golcha, Additional Inspector General of Prisons Dr. Ajay Kumar Bisht, Deputy Director General of Prisons Rajiv Singh and other senior officials of the prison department.

Provide necessary facilities to prisoners

Delhi Home Minister Kailash Gehlot said that during the visit to Tihar Jail, he inspected the basic facilities being provided to the prisoners. The Delhi government under the leadership of CM Arvind Kejriwal is committed to improving the prisons. Our visit to Tihar Jail is another step towards improving the prison conditions and ensuring that the prisoners are provided with the necessary resources so that they can improve themselves. 

We believe that every individual always has the potential to improve and it is our responsibility to provide them with the resources they need to do so. I believe that through the collective efforts of our government, prison officials and citizens, we can build a just and equitable society.

Emphasis on vocational training 

During the inspection of Central Jail Number 6 (women's barrack), Home Minister Kailash Gehlot inspected several key areas including vocational training unit, tailoring, jewellery production and crèche. He praised the NGOs providing vocational training to the prisoners. He stressed how these programmes will prove helpful in the rehabilitation of prisoners after coming out of jail. 

Kailash Gehlot also reviewed the medical facilities available for women prisoners and stressed the need for digitisation of medical records, which he plans to take up with the National Informatics Centre (NIC).

After this, the Home Minister also visited Central Jail No. 3, where he inspected the Gaushala, Langar (community kitchen) and a 120-bed hospital. The minister appreciated the hygiene and quality of the food prepared for the prisoners and stressed the need to expand the capacity and facilities of the hospital.

Kailash Gehlot gave these instructions regarding jail reforms

Home Minister Kailash Gehlot proposed to start electric vehicle facility for visitors in Tihar Jail. This initiative is in line with the Delhi government's campaign to promote 'green transportation' and reduce carbon footprint.

reviews of gel factories

Home Minister Kailash Gehlot reviewed the operations of various jail factories and stressed on increasing their productivity. He proposed that these factories should be registered under the Societies Registration Act to improve production management, capacity and marketing of products.

Skill Development 

Emphasising on rehabilitation of prisoners, Kailash Gehlot directed to expand intensive skill development programmes to integrate prisoners into the mainstream of society. The prison department is collaborating with several organisations to enhance vocational training and rehabilitation efforts.

Emphasis on reducing overcrowding in prisons

During this, Jail Minister Kailash Gehlot also inquired about the increasing overcrowding of prisoners in Delhi's jails. In this regard, the Jail Minister emphasized on speeding up the construction of the proposed jail in Narela and speeding up the acquisition of land for the jail in Baprola.

Mental health program 

Home Minister Kailash Gehlot in the AAP government proposed to run a comprehensive health program focusing on both physical and mental health to ensure quality care to prisoners. A comprehensive mental health program will be started in all the jails of Delhi. Home Minister Kailash Gehlot also inspected various toilet blocks in the jail premises and directed PWD officials to carry out necessary renovation and repairs on an emergency basis.

promotion of jail staff

The hard work of prison staff was appreciated and promotion opportunities were proposed to be provided to boost their morale and retain talent within the correctional services.

Why did the Jail Minister visit the jail?

The purpose of the Home Minister's visit was to focus on the programmes being run to bring about a positive change in the lives of prisoners, skill development, health initiatives, psychological help and mainstreaming them into society, which reflects the Kejriwal government's commitment. Its overarching goal is to transform Delhi's central jails into rehabilitation and reformatory institutions.