New jail code

In this overall context, it's heartening to note that a jail code reform is in the offing, expected to be implemented in a matter of month or two. The new provisions will give a human face to the treatment of prisoners. These will do away with back-breaking work for them and introduce such practices as freeing inmates on parole, entertainment for prisoners, simplification of the division facility and removal of discrimination in the allocation of foods.

Needless to say that in our sardine-packed jails most prisoners live in subhuman conditions in terms of basic amenities -- starting from toilet facilities through minimum nutrition intake to sleeping space, they manage to live an animal-like existence.

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But there is an underworld to the prison houses where drugs are peddled and good foods and luxurious living are bought off through palm greasing at appropriate points. It's a mini crime world that operates giving a lie to the jail's role as something of a reformatory.

Mere upgrading of facilities by itself cannot bring about the desired transformation in the living conditions inside the prison houses. It's common knowledge that under-trial prisoners outnumber the convicts. So long as the trial proceedings are not quickened through appropriate law reform interventions and enhancement of policemen's prosecution capacity, our jails will remain overcrowded and with that the ordeals of the prisoners will only grow, no matter what attempt is made to reduce their hardship.