Delhi Home Minister Kailash Gehlot's Visit to Tihar Jail Aims to Strengthen Correctional System and Prisoner Welfare

Home Minister of Delhi Kailash Gehlot on Saturday visited Tihar Jail No. 3 and 6. The purpose of this visit was to further strengthen the correctional system inside the jails. During this, the Home Minister emphasized the Delhi government's commitment to improve the living conditions of prisoners, the welfare of employees and to further improve facilities. Home Secretary Chanchal Yadav, Director General of Prisons Satish Golcha, Additional Inspector General Prisons Dr. Ajay Kumar Bisht, Deputy Director General of Prisons Rajiv Singh and other senior officials of the prison department were present during his visit.

During the inspection of Central Jail No. 6 (women's barracks), Kailash Gehlot inspected several key areas including vocational training unit, sewing, jewellery production and crèche. He praised the NGOs providing vocational training to prisoners and emphasized how these programs would prove helpful in the rehabilitation of prisoners after coming out of jail. Kailash Gehlot also reviewed the medical facilities available for women prisoners and emphasized the need for digitization of medical records, which he plans to take up with the National Informatics Centre (NIC).

Delhi Home Minister Kailash Gehlot said that the Delhi government under the leadership of Chief Minister Arvind Kejriwal is committed to improving prisons. This visit to Tihar Jail was about improving the conditions of the jail and providing the necessary resources to the prisoners so that they can improve themselves. We believe that every person has the ability to improve and he should be provided with the necessary resources to do so. He expressed hope that the Kejriwal government can build a just society with the collective efforts of jail officials and citizens.

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. During this, Kailash Gehlot also issued several instructions.

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

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

Emphasizing on rehabilitation, Kailash Gehlot directed the expansion of intensive skill development programs to integrate prisoners into the mainstream of society. The prison department is collaborating with several organizations to enhance vocational training and rehabilitation efforts.

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

Home Minister Kailash Gehlot proposed to run a comprehensive health program focusing on both physical and mental health to ensure quality care to the 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 the PWD officials to carry out necessary renovation and repairs on an emergency basis.

The minister appreciated the hard work of the jail staff and proposed to provide promotion opportunities to boost their morale and retain talent within the correctional services.

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

During this, Home Minister Kailash Gehlot expressed satisfaction over the progress made so far inside the jail and assured that the government will continue to give priority to the welfare of both prisoners and staff in all future initiatives.