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Plight of district jail inmates By Shamsul Islam Naz District Jail prisoners are subjected to torture and provided substandard food in violation of jail manual so as to force their relatives to grease the palms of jail functionaries. The jail affairs are being run through a team of 'notorious' jail employees at the cost of the life and well-being of the inmates. But the authorities concerned, despite the hue and cry raised by the affected people, are playing the role of a silent spectator. The district jail, built in 1903, could initially accommodate only 290 prisoners. Located adjacent to the University of Agriculture, some 200 yards away from the district courts, its capacity was subsequently increased to make room for up to 730 inmates. Currently, it is stuffed with 2,175 prisoners. Mismanagement, corruption, lawlessness and a cruel attitude of the jail administration have aggravated the suffering of the detainees and made a mockery of all norms of justice and fair play. There are 78 women with 13 children, 38 condemned prisoners, 84 convicted and 1,962 undertrial prisoners who are passing their lives in a state of terror. They are forced to pay the jail staff heavily for serving their terms. Prisoners complain that when their relatives visit the jail, they are searched vigorously by the prison employees. But those who carry heavy purses are allowed to see the kith and kin without queries. While the relatives of condemned prisoners are allowed to see them on specified days, the influential ones are permitted to meet them when they like. The food provided to the prisoners is substandard in violation of the provisions of jail manual. Bread is thrown on the ground instead of being put on a piece of cloth. It was noticed that pulses cooked for prisoners were simply boiled. A major amount of the money disbursed for providing certain facilities and food stuffs to the inmates is allegedly misappropriated. There is none to raise a voice against such inhuman practices. Over 637 undertrial prisoners are allowed to receive food from their homes against what is called Nazrana. The jail has virtually been converted into a big torture centre. The helpless men behind bars are physically abused by the jail officials just to extort money. Even children are reportedly molested by the functionaries. Drugs are freely available within the jail, and those with plenty of money live like prodigal princes in it. Narcotics are allegedly being supplied through official vehicles of the prison staff, and under a novel strategy warders posted on roof-tops and those performing guard duty are used to throw the drugs in the jail courtyard. If the prisoners protest against the partiality of the authorities, they are humiliated and shifted to other jails where they are beaten mercilessly to cow them down and to teach them a lesson. Some of these prisoners are bar-fettered and locked in cells to stifle their heart-felt yells of horror. The entire jail atmosphere is highly injurious to the prisoners' health, but no effective measures have been taken by the home department even to save the inmates from the scorching heat. It is alleged that a huge amount is being collected from such sources as kitchen, arranging meetings of prisoners and providing other facilities to them. The entire 'income' is pocketed allegedly by the jail superintendent, while the extra monthly income is distributed among the junior staff. Insiders reveal that the self-esteem of prisoners is demolished on their arrival in the jail by dipping them in sullage ponds. Even 'havalatis' are subjected to this treatment. As soon as the prisoners step into the jail premises, they are deprived of their valuables and cash. They are forced to stand beside the sullage pond and pushed to it four to five times. How callous are the jail authorities can be judged from the fact that on the day a superintendent takes charge all condemned prisoners are brought out handcuffed and bar-fitted and then mercilessly beaten. The idea is to tell other inmates to give Nazrana if they want to remain out of harm's way. Most prisoners suffer from malaria, hepatitis, scabies and fever. Some have become chronic patients of stomach and liver disorders, and some have contracted tuberculosis by consuming substandard food supplied by the jail. Medicines meant for the inmates are reportedly either misappropriated or used by the jail staff and their families. The prisoners are denied medical facilities and are forced to ask for medicines from their relatives. An alarming aspect of the situation is that the jail superintendent is audacious enough to some influential persons to spend the nights at their homes in return for a Nazrana. A group of relatives of prisoners standing outside the jail in sizzling heat told this correspondent that a handsome amount was charged by the warders for arranging their meetings with their dear ones. When they offer huge amounts to jail employees, they are allowed to meet their relatives even in the office of the superintendent. They said they had to come a day earlier from far-off places to see their relatives in the morning hours, but their request was granted in the afternoon. They said the eatables brought by them were conveyed to their relatives by the jail functionaries after receiving gratification. Half of the articles were kept by the officials. The inmates are forced to purchase milk and other edibles from a mobile shop being run by the jail officials. Daily the shop is moved into the jail compound exactly 15 minutes before the opening of the doors of barracks. It is taken out after the barracks are locked. Prices of the items sold by this shop are almost double the market rates, besides being inferior in quality. Officials are reportedly making a huge amount from this nasty trade. A matter of concern is that a prisoner committing an offence outside the jail is entitled to an investigation or a formal trial. But the one who is involved in a prison related offence has no such right. There is no independent forum to verify whether the offence registered has any merit or not. If the tales of torture and inhuman treatment generally do not come out of the jail, it is because of the excessive and discretionary powers of the jail officials. They have practically converted the prison into a torture cell for extorting money. And there is no one to keep a watch on them: how they snatch the belongings of those who have no power to speak, who only stand, eyes down cast. Only a positive and solid approach can tackle the situation. Please Visit our Sponsor (Ads open in separate window)
