CHAPTER-VII

A STUDY ON THE PRISON SYSTEM OF DISTRICT JAIL,

BARPETA, ASSAM

“If people get sick, we take them to the hospital and give them the right

medicine to get better. If people’s behaviour is sick, we bring them to the prison, but

we forget the medicines”.

-Sri Sri Rabi Shankar, a Renowned Spiritual Leader

This chapter deals with the problems and perspectives of prisoners and the

prison system of District Jail of Barpeta, Assam and it is the core chapter of the present

study. In the first changing social order of the Indian democratic country, the working

of Indian prisons has been more complex where a series of socio-economic variations

moving forward to social maladjustment have taken place considerably awareness

among the people about their fundamental rights has been increased.

Indian prisons often exist as a terrible picture of segregation from international

human rights. Inhuman and unpitying conditions intensify the impression of

imprisonment. It could be seen as a product of faulty government policies and a lack of

transparency. Figures collated at National Human Rights Commission affirm

complaints surpassing a number of 70,000. But only 40% of the complaints relating to

police and violation of human right inside the jails are focused and comes a close

second. There is no provision for a concerned official which can act as a redressal

mechanism for prisoners and to provide necessary recommendations for their well-

being.

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 In Assam, at present there are 31 jails, out of which 6 are Central Jails, 22 are

District Jails, 1 Special Jail, 1 Open Jail and 1 Sub-Jail1. The first jail in Assam is the

Tezpur Central Jail, which was established in the year 1846 and the last jail in Assam

till 2019 is Udalguri District Jail established in the year 9thSeptember 2013. Out of these

31 jails, the sub-jail at Halflong is headed by a Magistrate in-charge and the other 30

jails are headed by Superintendents of Jail. According to the information from the

Assam Prison Headquarters, Khanapara, Assam the Research Scholar has been shown

the various types of prisons in Assam (till 2019) as under-

TABLE-7(i)
NUMBER OF VARIOUS TYPES OF PRISONS IN ASSAM
(TILL THE YEAR 2019)
Sl. No. Types of Prisons Number of Prisons Total No. of
Prisons
1 Central Jail 6
2 District Jail 22
3 Special Jail 1 31
4 Open-Air Jail 1
5 Sub-Jail 1
Source: Assam Prison Headquarters.

TABLE-7(ii)
PLACES OF CENTRAL JAILS
Sl. No. Places of Central Jail Total No.
1 Guwahati 1
2 Tezpur 1
3 Silchar 1
4 Dibrugarh 1
5 Jorhat 1
6 Nagaon 1

1
According to the information received by Research Scholar from the Assam Prison Headquarters,
Khanapara, Guwahati (Accessed on 03/06/2019 at 10:30 AM)

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 TABLE- 7(iii)

PLACES OF VARIOUS DISTRICT JAILS

Sl. No. Name of the District Name of the Jail

1 Barpeta District Jail, Barpeta
2 Bongaigaon District Jail, Abhayapuri
3 Darrang District Jail, Mongaldoi
4 Darrang District Jail, Udalguri
5 Dhemaji District Jail, Dhemaji
6 Dhubri District Jail, Dhubri
7 Goalpara District Jail, Goalpara
8 Golaghat District Jail, Golaghat
9 Hailakandi District Jail, Hailakandi
10 Hamren District Jail, Hamren
11 Jorhat District Jail, Majuli
12 Kari-Anglong District Jail, Diphu
13 Karimganj District Jail, Karimganj
14 Kokrajhar District Jail, Kokrajhar
15 Morigaon District Jail, Morigaon
16 Nalbari District Jail, Nalbari
17 Sivasagar District Jail, Sivasagar
18 Sivasagar District Jail, Sonari
19 Sonitpur District Jail, Biswanath Chariali
20 Tinsukia District Jail, Tinsukia
21 Tinsukia District Jail, Sodia
22 Lakhimpur District Jail, North Lakhimpur

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 TABLE-7(iv)

PLACES OF OTHER KINDS OF JAILS

Sl. No. Kinds of Jail Places where situated

1 Special Jail Nagaon

2 Open-Air Jail Bagpheta (Jorhat)

3 Sub-Jail Halflong

7.1 Brief History of the Field Area

Barpeta District was created in 1983 and the name is derived from the

Headquarter town of Barpeta. In 1841, it was created as a Civil Sub-Division by the

British Administration. Today, the Barpeta District consists of two-civil Sub-Divisions,

namely, Barpeta and Bajali. Barpeta is located about 90 kilometres from Guwahati(via-

Doulashal) the capital city of the State of Assam and 44 kilometres away from Manas

National Park. There are three rivers run through the town –Chaulkhowa, Mora Nodi

and Nakhanda, both of which are tributaries to Brahmaputra. Barpeta is called Satra

Nagari (Temple Town) of Assam.

Barpeta District Jail was established on 15th August, 1970, comprising with a

separate women cell which was established in the year 1994. The total jail compound

covers an area of 300 bighas including the quarters and the campus. Out of 300 bighas

25 bigha is within the jail enclosure wall. There are two sections in the jail one is male

section and another female section. This jail is keeping all ‘C’ class prisoners.

Male Section: There are total 8 (eight) numbers prisoners wards, but the male prisoners

have been kept in 6 (six) prisoners wards at present as due to most dilapidated condition

word no. 1 and 2 still lying unused and abandoned. Even word no. 1 to 5 requires

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immediate repairing. There are also two segregation words. One general kitchen is there

but dilapidated condition and one dining hall, one abandoned old go down back side of

the kitchen needs dismantle. One store room for keeping ration, two rooms for prisoners

clothing and one room used as manufactory working shed but dilapidated condition at

present. There is one medical ward for indoor patient, one leprosy room and two rooms

for T.B. Ward. There is also one doctor’s room, one library room cum jail school, one

legal aid council and six abandoned cell. Such abandoned two cell uses as jail canteen.

Total six day latrines are available for use by the male prisoners in day time and one

attached latrine is available in every prisoner’s wards for use at night. For water supply

facilities, six numbers hand tube well and three numbers unserviceable mark-II tube

well is there. Construction of one overhead reservoir with submersible water pump is

nearly completed except connection of electricity. It functions likely to be started within

short period.

Female Section: There are two prisoner’s wards for female prisoners, one doctor’s

room and one working shed in female section. There is one kitchen but dilapidated

condition at present. In female ward only three latrines are available attached to the

prisoner’s wards but there is no day latrine and bathroom. For water supply facilities,

only two hand tube well in this female ward.

Prisoner’s Accommodation:

Registered Strength Male-168 Female-45 Total- 213

Present Daily Average Population Male- 295 Female- 11 Total- 306

Such male prisoners have been kept in 6 Prisoner’s Wards at present.

Educations and Moral Lectures: There is one library inside the jail. In everyday

morning, regular yoga / medication is held inside the jail under the guidance of one

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trained convict. One lady school teacher is also posted in the jail. Moreover, there is a

provision to bring some religious and valuable books from District Library, Barpeta for

the prison inmates of this jail which are also subsequently returned in due course.

Krishna Kanta Handique State Open University Study Centre is initiated on 8th

November, 2016. In addition, in the month of December, 2017, another course i.e.

‘SMART PRISONS COURSE’ was conducted from the Vakti Vikash Kendra.

Administrative Building: In this jail, one superintendent’s room, one jailor and

assistant jailor’s room, one video conferencing room but not yet installed and two

security personnel barracks.

Security Personnel Deployed from District Police Authority at Present:

One Havilder Assam Police

One LNK Assam Police

Six Constable Assam Police

One Havilder 14 APBN

Nine LNK / Constable 14 APBN

Six Home Guards Engaged in main Entrance Gate

There are four watch towers available. Only three towers are manned by

security personnel at night only. In day time those watch tower remain vacant due to

shortage of security personnel. One sentry post in front of the main jail gate is manned

by police personnel for round the clock and rear guard sentry post is manned by APBN

personnel only at day time.

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Staff Position:

Staff Registered Strength Present Position

Superintendent 1 1

Jailor 1 1

Assistant Jailor 3 2

Head Warder (Male) 2 2

Head Warder (Female) 2 Nil

Warder (Male) 19 14

Warder (Female) 9 6

M & HO-I 1 1

Pharmacist 1 1

Jail School Teacher 1 1

Lady Craft Instructress 1 1

Driver 1 1

Agri. Demonstrator 1 1

Tractor Operator 1 1

Fixed Salary Employee

Sweeper (Male) 1 1

Sweeper (Female) 1 1

Mid-Wife 1 1

Warder Guard: The total strength of warders in this jail is 19 and only 14 warders are

working presently. Out of 14 warders one office orderly and one outside garden duty.

Remaining 12 warders are engaged in 2 shifts for day-duty inside the jail. At night such

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12 warders are engaged in 4 shifts for guarding inside the jail from lock-up till

unlocking of the jail. In every shift consisting three hourly by engaged of 3 warders for

main gate duty, ward duty and round duty.

Fund Availability: There is no sufficient fund available to manage day to day

expenditure. Such as- purchase of diesel for generator, petrol for vehicle, medicine for

sick prisoners and also for other miscellaneous expenditure whenever required.

Health Care: Every newly admitted prisoner has been thoroughly scanned on

admission. Thereafter rendered treatment by the medical officer of this jail to the needy

prisoners and if required for further better treatment send to the higher hospital through

police escort.

Dietary: Dietary and other articles procured through approved contractor in every

month.

Engaged of Convict: Convicts are engaged in cooking, sweeping, cleaners, gardening,

etc. convicts are also engaged as night watch men at night rotation basis from lock-up

till unlocking of the jail two hourly.

Jail Garden: There is sufficient jail land for cultivation but lack of boundary fencing

such land lying unused for many years.

General Remarks:

 Separate isolation ward is highly required.

 One Laboratory Technician is highly needed.

 Up-gradation of Jail Hospital and its extension with all the hospital

equipments are needed.

 Construction of Doctor and Pharmacist Quarters also been essential.

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7.2 Data Analysis by the Research Scholar

In this present study, the research scholar carried out the interviews with the

judges, lawyers, prison officers, prisoners, ex-prisoners and social workers on a

structure questionnaire / interview schedules. The questionnaires are regarding the

problem faced by the prisoners during imprisonment, problems to re-adjustment after

release from the jail, the changes in the society’s reaction towards the ex-prisoners,

whether they have any sympathy towards the prisoners, whether they agree to support in

re-socialisation of the ex-prisoners, etc. These questionnaires have been enclosed in

Appendixes.

According to the views given by the key informants/respondents it appears that

they believe that the goals of imprisonment should be re-socialization as prisoners being

a continuous part of the society. They also think that the more severe the sentence, the

less are possibilities of rehabilitation of the offenders. The prison officers have largest

face to face contact with the prisoners hence, they should be entrusted with the task of

correction of prisoners by imparting the various correctional treatment method. Marital

contact and family are vital parts of the life of any human being. The contact with

family, friends or relatives through frequent visiting helps in the early adjustment in the

community and thereby promotes the process of early re-socialization of the ex-

prisoners. To a larger extent, the prisoners’ pains frustrate the programmes of

rehabilitation and consequently make their re-socialization a difficult task. Also they

believe that help rendered by the After-Care Agencies will go a long way in their early

re-socialization on their release from the prison.

The study has revealed that the prisoners with different criminal background

are housed together. In the prison community, the prisoner show itself as a leader who

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has been convicted for heinous crime and sentenced for long- term imprisonment. The

study has found that frequent prison visiting mitigate the prisoners from the pains of

imprisonment and also helps their early re-socialization. But it has been found that in

visiting, the visitors as well as prisoners face a number of difficulties. Visiting

frequency varies in accordance with the status of the prisoner.

Further imprisonment creates numerous difficulties for the prisoners and has

felonious influence upon them. Also judicial delay hampers re-socialization of the

offenders. It has been observed by the research scholar that longer the term of

imprisonment the less are the chances of re-socialization. Also the study found that in

the re-socialisation process of the prisoners the community has vital role.

The present study also revealed that the vocational training imparted and

recreational services in this jail are not adequate and satisfactory also do not serve the

vocational objects of the ex- prisoners and do not help in the process of re-socialisation.

The study support the fact that a sentence considered in accordance with the individual

needs lays the way for early re-socialisation. The treatment of prisoners should be based

on their conviction.

According to the international human rights law, all the prisoners have the right

to enjoy all the rights given to a normal human being subjected to reasonable

restrictions. With this outlook the prison authorities are bound to look after the prisoners

and management the prison. The objective of punishment should be reformation of

prisoners. Therefore jails should be organised as hospitals and the jail officers should

consider themselves as doctors of the diseased mind of those prisoners. The sentence

‘once a criminal always a criminal’ goes by the name of ‘Criminality’ may be avoided

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otherwise there will be continuous waste of human resources of nation caused through

the continuous spread of mental cancer.

7.2.1 Reformation of the Offenders

The main objective of punishment is to prevent and control the crime by

reformation and re-socialization of the offenders and not by the retributive or deterrent

sentences. Reformation is the effort to restore a person to a society as a good citizen.

The society can be protected from the criminals by providing them with the educational,

vocational or social training as it is necessary to enable them to go with the social

pattern and this will help the offenders to depart from their offence. In this research

study, the investigator sought to know from the judges, lawyers, prison officers, police

officers and social workers about the nature of the sentence for reformation of the

offenders. Their responses are shown as under-

TABLE-7.2.1

NATURE OF THE SENTENCE FOR REFORMATION OF THE CRIMINALS

Sl. No. Respondents Deterrent Retributive Reformative Total

1 Judges 20.00 -- 80.00 100

2 Lawyers 25.00 -- 75.000 100

3 Prison Officers 30.00 5.00 65.00 100

4 Police Officers 60.00 20.00 20.00 100

5 Social workers 20.00 25.00 55.00 100

Total 155.00 50.00 295.00 500

Mean Value 31.00 10.00 59.00 100

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7.2.2 Duration of Sentence

The man in the prison finds his relationships suspended, his career disrupted,

and his dreams and aspirations gone acrid. Longer sentence of imprisonment not only

breed hostility but also makes it more difficult for the criminal to avoid further law

infringements. It is a disheartening for most men. The research scholar sought to know

from the judges, lawyers, police officers, prison officers, prisoners, ex-prisoners, and

social workers about whether they agreed that the longer term of imprisonment lesser

the changes of re-socialisation. Their responses are sown as under-

TABLE-7.2.2

LONG TERM IMPRISONMENT FRUSTRATES THE RE-SOCIALIZATION

PROCESS

Sl. No. Respondents Yes No. Total

1 Judges 72.00 28.00 100

2 Lawyers 75.00 25.00 100

3 Police Officers 20.00 80.00 100

4 Prison Officers 81.00 19.00 100

5 Prisoners 95.00 5.00 100

6 Ex-Prisoners 92.00 8.00 100

7 Social Workers 85.00 15.00 100

Total 520.00 180.00 700

Mean Value 74.3 25.7 100

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7.2.3 Role of Prison Officers in the Process of Re-socialization

Since the prison officer, especially the warders remain in constant contact with

the prison inmates. Their attitude and behaviour towards the prison inmates has

important impact on reversing the criminal tendency of the prisoner. In this present

study, the research scholar sought to know from the judges, lawyers, social workers,

police officers, and prison officers themselves that whether the attitude of prison

officers has important impact upon the re-socialization of the prisoners. Their responses

are as under-

TABLE-7.2.3

PPRISON OFFICERS’ INDECENT ATTITUDE DEFEATS RE-

SOCIALIZATION OF THE PRISONERS

Sl. No. Respondents Yes No Total

1 Judges 75.00 25.00 100

2 Lawyers 72.00 28.00 100

3 Social Workers 76.00 24.00 100

4 Police Officers 40.00 60.00 100

5 Prison Officers 78.00 22.00 100

Total 341.00 179.00 500

Mean Value 68.2 35.8 100

7.2.4 Frequent Family Visiting

The frequent family visiting narrows down the gap between the prisoner with

his family members. The visit from family member or a friend is reported as a very

special event. Frequent family visit represents the uncensored interchange with the free

226
society persons. It is an opportunity for speaking with family members, relatives or

friends, and having some momentary physical contact. Frequent family visits will help

in the early re-socialisation of the prisoners. The research scholar has sought to know

from the prisoners about the frequency in which they were allowed to meet their family

members. Their responses are shown in Table- 7.2.4(a). The research scholar also

sought to know from the ex-prisoners, prisoners and prison officers about the feeling of

the prisoners at the time of family visit. Their responses are shown in Table-7.2.4(b).

Again the investigator sought to know from the judges, lawyers, prison officers,

prisoners, ex-prisoners and social workers that whether more frequent visits of the

family members help in greater chances of re-socialization. Their responses are shown

in Table-7.2.4(c).

TABLE-7.2.4(a)

STATUS OF PRISONERS AND FREQUENCY OF VISITING (In percentage)

Sl. No. Status No Once a Twice a Thrice a Nil Total

Limitation month month month
1 Ordinary -- 78.00 22.00 -- -- 100
Prisoners
2 Retreats -- 15.00 -- -- 35.00 100
Prisoners
3 Prison Birds 76.00 -- 24.00 -- -- 100
4 Prison Wise 65.00 -- 20.00 15.00 -- 10
Inmates
5 Inmate 85.00 -- 15.00 -- -- 100
Officers
6 Rebel 58.00 -- 12.00 30.00 -- 100
Prisoners
Total 284.00 93.00 93.00 45.00 85.0 600
Mean Value 47.33 15.5 15.5 7.5 14.16 100

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 TABLE-7.2.4(b)

IMPACT OF THE PRISON VISITING (In percentage)

Sl. No. Respondents Feel Feel Happy Get Total

Relieved Frustrated

1 Ex-Prisoners 58.00 70.00 22.00 150.00

2 Prisoners 60.00 80.00 30.00 170.00

3 Prison Officers 55.00 75.00 20.00 150.00

Total 173.00 225.00 72.00 470.00

Mean Value 57.66 75.00 24.00 156.66

TABLE-7.2.4(c)

MORE FREQUENT FAMILY VISITS, THE GREATER ARE THE

PROBABILITY OF RE-SOCIALIZATION (In percentage)

Sl. No. Respondent Yes No Total

1 Judges 55.00 45.00 100

2 Lawyers 60.00 40.00 100

3 Prison Officers 75.00 25.00 100

4 Prisoners 90.00 10.00 100

5 Ex-prisoners 85.00 15.00 100

6 Police Officers 30.00 70.00 100

7 Social Workers 65.00 35.00 100

Total 460.00 240.00 700

Mean Value 65.71 34.28 100

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7.2.5 Prisoners Release on Parole or Furlough helps them in the Early Re-

socialisation

India has no ‘Half-way Houses’ like in U.S.A. but in the re-socialization of the

prisoners, in India ‘Open Air Prison’ system plays vital role. This system is based on the

concept of self-realisation and self-discipline. It is found that the prisoners are kept in

‘Open Air Prisons’ had a cheerful look as compared to the prisoners’ depressed look,

which were kept in closed prison. The inmates of the ‘Open Air Prison’ lived with less

tension and also the escapes were rare. Under this system, through reposing trust and

confidence in them, encouragement for good work done, etc. have brought a change in

the attitude of the prisoners. In this study, the research scholar sought to know from the

judges, lawyers, prison officers and ex-prisoners that the prisoners temporary release on

parole helped their early re-socialization and their responses that whether they agreed on

this are shown as under-

TABLE-7.2.5

PRISONERS TEMPORARY RELEASE ON PAROLE HELPS IN THEIR

EARLY RE-SOCIALISATION (In percentage)

Sl. No. Respondent Yes No Total

1 Judges 70.00 30.00 100

2 Lawyers 65.00 35.00 100

3 Prison Officers 75.00 25.00 100

4 Ex-Prisoners 90.00 10.0 100

Total 300.00 100.00 40

Mean Value 75.0 25 100

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7.2.6 Prisoners’ Pains

The prisoners who are with long-term imprisonment feels severe pains than the

prisoners who are with short-term imprisonment, such as missing some body, missing

social life, being afraid of going mad, missing small luxuries, feeling sexually frustrated

etc., usually the ‘new comers’ suffered emotional shock. In a larger extent, such pains

frustrate the programmes of rehabilitation and the effects make the re-socialisation of

the prisoners a tough task. The research scholar sought to know from the ex-prisoners,

prisoners and the prison officers about the prisoners’ pains in imprisonment. Their

responses shown as under-

TABLE-7.2.6

PRISONERS’ PAINS IN IMPRISONMENT (In percentage)

Sl. No. Responses Ex- Prisoners Prison Total Mean

prisoner Officers Value

1 Loss of liberty 100 100 100 300 100.00

2 Missing Family 90 95 75 260 86.66

Members

3 Facing Abuses 45 65 40 150 50.00

4 Diet Problem 90 93 15 198 66.00

5 Loss of Individuality 70 85 30 185 61.66

6 Sexual Frustration 72 75 70 217 72.33

7 Loss of Privacy 85 90 35 210 70.00

8 Others 50 50 50 150 50.00

Total 602 653 415 1670 556.65

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7.2.7 Reformation and Re-Socialization through After-care Services

The reformation and re-socialization of the prisoners cannot be achieved the

intended results, unless the prisoners are supervised, assisted and guided on their release

from the penal institutions. In the process of social and vocational rehabilitation of

offenders the voluntary agencies can render a valuable service, particularly to

probationers and to habitual offenders. The service of after-care is based on an approach

of help, guidance counselling, support programme and a organic vigilance over a given

condition of the offender which had handicapped him. The research scholar sought to

know from the judges, lawyers and prison officers as to the role of after-care agencies in

the process of early re-socialization of ex-prisoners. Their responses are shown as

under-

TABLE-7.2.7

AFTER-CARE AGENCIES HELP THE EX-PRISONERS IN THEIR EARLY

RESOCIALIZATION (In percentage)

Sl. No. Respondents Yes No Total

1 Judges 75.00 25.00 100

2 Lawyers 78.00 22.00 100

3 Prison Officers 92.00 8.00 100

Total 245.00 55.00 300

Mean value 81.66 18.33 100

7.3 A Critical Study on the Prisoners of District Jail, Barpeta

For critical analysis, the basic data which is connected with the subject is

absolutely necessary. The interpretation of the statistics of the study is done from the

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year 2005 and the statistics furnished for every fourth year commencing from 2005 viz.

2008, 2012 and 2016.

7.3.1 Number of Under-Trial Prisoners by Period of Their Detention

The under-trial prisoners constitute a floating population and create the

problem of overcrowding in prisons. Their frequent transportation to and from Court

raised a lot of administrative difficulties for prison personnel. It is seen from the

following table that up to three months, the total number of under-trials are steadily on

the rise from 2005 to 2016 i.e. from 87 to 233. Similarly, from other variables it is also

seen that the population of under-trial has been raised. Further a detail list of under-trial

prisoners detained in District Jail, Barpeta as on December 1, 2017 (morning) has been

shown in Table-7.3.1.

TABLE-7.3.1

NUMBER OF UNDER-TRIAL PRISONERS BY PERIOD OF THEIR

DETENTION

Sl. Variables Year

No. 2005 2008 2012 2016

1 Up to 3 months 87 106 197 233

2 3–6 months 4 10 6 12

3 6–12months 6 7 4 7

4 1–2 years 2 3 4 5

5 2–3 years 1 1 4 Nil

6 Above 3 years 1 1 2 Nil

Total 101 123 157 257

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7.3.2 Details of Inmates Released / Discharged

The following table shows that the period is the highest in the year 2016 i.e. 69

followed by 29 inmates in 2012; 22 in 208 and 16 in 2005. On the event of the 94th

birthday of the former Prime Minister Atal Bihari Vajpayee, the Assam Government

released 201 convicts on 26th December, 2017 at night, who were serving life terms and

had completed their tenures in jails but due to non-payment of fines they could not be

released. Out of 201 convicts, some convicts were released from the District Jail,

Barpeta on that day. The following table has been shown about the details of released

inmates only in the year 2005, 2008, 2012 and 2016.

TABLE-7.3.2

DETAILS OF INMATES RELEASED / DISCHARGED

Sl. No. Variables Year

2005 2008 2012 2016

1 Actual Convict Population 107 123 92 151

2 Released after completion of 16 22 27 67

conviction period

3 Pre-Mature release Nil Nil Nil Nil

4 Released on appeal 7 3 4 15

5 Released on bail 2 4 Nil Nil

6 Pardons Nil Nil Nil Nil

7 Transferred to other jails 1 6 2 5

Total 133 158 127 240

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7.3.3 Prisoners Release on Parole

Grant of leave or parole is a concession extended to the convicted prisoners to

continue their relationship with the society and to attend the immediate needs of the

family which will help their easy rehabilitation and reintegration in the society. The

following table reveals that the prisoners release on parole is increasing proportionately

to the convict population during the particulars period in the jail.

TABLE-7.3.3

DETAILS OF RELEASED PRISONERS ON PAROLE

Sl. No. Year Actual Convict Population Released on Parole

Parole Absconders

M F T M F T

1 2005 127 17 1 18 -- -- --

2 2008 123 23 -- 23 -- -- --

3 2012 92 14 -- 14 -- -- --

4 2016 151 45 1 46 -- -- --

M- Male; F – Female; T – Total

7.3.4 Escape of Inmates

The following table shows that the details of the persons who escape from the

police custody as well as from the inside / outside the prison. In 2015, two inmates were

escaped from the inside of Barpeta District Jail, and one of those two inmates was

escaped before from the police custody also. Between 2012 and 2015, total 68 prisoners

are escaped in Assam and only 12 could be re-arrested as revealed a CAG report.

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 TABLE-7.3.4

DETAILS OF ESCAPE OF INMATES IN PRISON

Sl. No. Year Escape Escape Escape Total Re-

from from from Escapees arrested
Inside Outside Police Escapees
Prison Prison Custody
1 2005 Nil Nil Nil Nil Nil
2 2008 Nil Nil Nil Nil Nil
3 2012 Nil Nil Nil Nil Nil
4 2015 2 Nil 1 2 1

7.3.5 Prison Occupancy

The authorised or sanctioned capacity of Barpeta District Jail is 213; 168 for

male prisoners and 45 for female prisoners. Occupancy rate refers as number of inmates

staying in jail against the authorised strength for 100 inmates. It is seen from the

following table that the present population of the jail in 2005 was the same as authorised

capacity but after 2005, it gradually increased and in every time the present population

is more than in authorised capacity.

TABLE-7.3.5

PRISON OCCUPANCY

Year Authorized Capacity Present Population Percentage of

Overcrowding
Male Female Male Female
2005 168 45 209 04 100%

2008 168 45 253 14 125.35%

2012 168 45 318 14 155.86%

2016 168 45 424 14 205.63%

235
7.3.6 Number of Convicted Prisoners

The following table shows that total numbers of convicted prisoners including

both male and female detained in the Barpeta District Jail from the year 2005 to 2017. It

is seen from the table that except in 2005, the numbers of convicted prisoners are more

than the sanctioned capacity of prisoners in the jail, therefore the jail is overcrowded.

Where more inmates are staying than the authorised capacity, it refers overcrowding

and it is one of the biggest problems for a healthy prison management as well as for

prison inmates.

TABLE-7.3.6

NUMBER OF CONVICTED PRISONERS

Year Number of Prisoners

Male Female Total
2005 209 04 213
2006 272 10 282
2007 307 12 319
2008 253 14 267
2009 273 21 294
2010 256 13 269
2011 318 21 339
2012 318 14 332
2013 226 09 235
2014 279 11 290
2015 355 19 374
2016 424 14 438
2017 353 31 384

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7.3.7 Weekly Diets

According to the scales prescribed in the Model Prison Manual every prisoner

shall have three meals a day. Firstly- breakfast, a light meal in the morning, secondly-

lunch, a midday meal and thirdly-dinner, an evening meal for the night before prisoners

are locked up. The superintendent of the jail may for different days of the week lay

down menu. The following table shows the details of weekly diets of prisoners in the

jail. But most of the prisoners view that the diets are very poor and not according to the

standard.

TABLE-7.3.7

DETAILS OF WEEKLY DIETS

Days Weekly Diet

Breakfast Lunch Dinner

SUNDAY Tea and Chapati Rice, Dal,Vegetable Rice, Dal, Vegetable

MONDAY Tea and Chapati Rice, Dal,Vegetable Rice, Dal, Vegetable

TUESDAY Tea and Chapati Rice, Dal,Vegetable Rice, Dal, Vegetable

WEDNESDAY Tea and Chapati Rice, Dal,Vegetable Rice, Dal, Vegetable

Fish/ Egg/ Meat

THURSDAY Tea and Chapati Rice, Dal,Vegetable Rice, Dal, Vegetable

FRIDAY Tea and Chapati Rice, Dal,Vegetable Rice, Dal, Vegetable,

Egg/ Meat/Fish

SATURDAY Tea and Chapati Rice, Dal,Vegetable Rice, Dal, Vegetable

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7.3.8 Prison Inmates Trained Under Different Vocational Training

One of the most important components of the prison programmes is the work

and the vocational training of prison inmates. Employment of prison inmates in

vocational training, in work programmes has specific objectives. The principal

objectives of this that the prison inmates should be acquainted such skills and attitudes

as that can naturalize their re-settlement in society after their release. In Assam the

inmates of Tezpur District Jail are engaged in black-smithy, carpentry, cane and

bamboo work. In Barpeta District Jail, inmates are usually engaged in agriculture,

tailoring and handloom.

TABLE-7.3.8

PRISON INMATES TRAINED UNDER DIFFERENT VOCATIONAL

TRAINING

Sl. No. Variables Year

2005 2008 2012 2016
1 Convict Population 107 123 92 151
2 Agriculture 20 30 35 25
3 Carpentry Nil Nil Nil Nil
4 Canning Nil Nil Nil Nil
5 Tailoring 15 20 18 21
6 Blacksmith Nil Nil Nil Nil
7 Weaving Nil Nil Nil Nil
8 Soap and Phenyl Nil Nil Nil Nil
9 Handloom 42 30 22 10
10 Others Nil Nil Nil Nil
Total 75 80 75 56

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7.3.9 Daily Wages Payment to Convicts in Rupees

The prisoners who are employed in industries are classified as skilled, semi-

skilled and unskilled for their per day payment of wages. The following table reveals

that there is no difference between the daily wages payment to the semi-skilled and un-

skilled convicts and it is also revealed that the rate of wages paid to those prisoners has

remarkable improvement.

TABLE-7.3.9

DETAILS OF PER DAY PAYMENT OF WAGES TO THE CONVICTS IN

RUPEES

Sl. No. Year Per day payment of wages to the convicts in

Rupees

Skilled Semi-Skilled Unskilled

1 2005 18/- 12/- 12/-

2 2008 18/- 12/- 12/-

3 2012 75/- 55/- 55/-

4 2016 75/- 55/- 55/-

7.3.10 Education of Prisoners

It is very unfortunate that in prison programme, education is not essential or

compulsory activity. But now, education is being imparted to prisoners as elementary

education, adult education and higher education and diploma courses. There are 13 Nos.

of schools inside the jails and 12 Nos. of teachers in the jails of Assam. Barpeta District

Jail has one school. During the year 2016-2017, in Assam, 274 Nos. prisoners were

provided functional literacy and out of 274 Nos. Barpeta District Jail provided 34 Nos.

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prisoners the functional literacy. Also in different jails of Assam 10 more Study Centres

under Krishna Kanta Handiqui State Open University have been set up in the year 2016-

2017. In Barpeta District Jail it was set up in 2016. In Mongoldoi District Jail, Arupjoti

Deka, a 32 year old life prisoner of this jail has topped with securing 80.33% marks,

Dhrubajyoti Hazarika has 6th with 73% and Ilias Purti has 10th with 71% in the

equivalent of class 12 exams which was conducted by Krishna Kanta Handiqui Open

University in 2018.

TABLE – 7.3.10

NUMBER OF PRISONERS BENEFITED BY EDUCATION FACILITIES

Sl. No. Variables Year

2005 2008 2012 2016

1 Convict Population 107 123 92 151

2 Elementary Education 2 2 4 11

3 Adult Education Nil 4 13 17

4 Higher Education Nil Nil 1 6

5 Diploma Course Nil Nil Nil Nil

Total 2 6 18 34

7.3.11 Rehabilitation of Prisoners

The real purpose of prison and correctional administration is to transform the

criminals into honest and law abiding citizen and rehabilitated them in the main stream

of social life. The assistance of the corrective care system in the institutions is necessary

for the ultimate rehabilitation of offenders in the society to their post-release period. The

following table shows the rehabilitation of prisoners but not reflecting all the prison

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programmes related to it. The table gives only a few information on rehabilitation, such

as-number of prisoners to whom financial assistance provided on release, number of

prisoners rehabilitated, number of prisoners to whom financial assistance and legal aid

provided and number of life convicts family assistance.

TABLE-7.3.11

REHABILITATION ON PRISONERS

Sl. No. Variables Year

2005 2008 2012 2016

1 Convict Population 107 123 92 151

2 Number of prisoners to whom Nil Nil 3 Nil

financial assistance provided on (2013-14)

release

3 Number of convicts rehabilitated No record

4 Number of prisoners to whom 2 4 7 6

legal aid provided

5 Number of life convicts family No record 8 7

assistance

7.4 Conclusion

With a view to reformation and rehabilitation of offenders, their treatment in

the period of imprisonment should be in such a way that their course-life must tend to

flow towards the ultimate aim of prisoners rehabilitation in the society. Rehabilitation

may be done in various ways such as- conducting various counselling classes, various

awareness programmes, various entertainment programmes, creating friendly

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environment in prison etc. But, indeed it was a sad revelation that there was neither a

sound atmosphere for executing any sustained programme of modifying the behaviour

of prisoners to re-socialise them nor any planning for specific treatment programme in

the prisons of India. Even in anywhere in India, there was no clarity about the materials

of correctional treatment among prison administrators.

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