(Written by: Samarth Chaudhary, Student, BA Global Affairs, OP Jindal Global University)
The District Jail of Gurgaon, commonly called the Bhondsi Jail, is located around 15km outside of Gurgaon, with a capacity of 2400 mostly male prisoners, who are separately housed from the female prisoners. During my entry into the prison complex, I had met with Superintendent Vivek Choudhary, under whose guidance we had also observed different components of the prison.
We were shown the barracks where the convicts and under trial prisoners resided, as well as the langar where they had their meals, the process of how food was made for them as well as the hospital. We then visited the factory, where certain inmates engaged themselves in various activities such as plumbing, as well as carpentry and woodwork. The quality of equipment present there was surprisingly remarkable, and there were separate classrooms for workshops. I was informed that furniture, as well as cooking oil was made in the factory itself. It also contained a flour mill, which is essential for the prison to remain self-sufficient instead of depending on external sources for basic necessities.
I then visited the vocational center which had been established by India Vision Foundation almost on the site of a former factory in the prison. We had first observed the beautiful garden which a few inmates tend to, where they also grow flowers, as well as root vegetables and fruits which are utilized in the prison itself. Entering the centre, we first observed the radio station, managed by an inmate, which plays informational and motivational segments, as well as classical music throughout the prison. The demand and popularity of this radio station has significantly increased throughout the years, especially when it comes to music. The centre also contains a stitching centre, a salon where inmates are trained in the skills of cutting, grooming and styling hair, as well as a computer room, where workshops regarding operating computers also take place. It also contained a library which contains hundreds of mainly biographical, educational and motivational titles, which were enthusiastically read by several inmates during our visit. The center also had a dedicated room for painting, where talented inmates showcased their creativity. Their work has been displayed throughout the prison. The dance and music programs were immensely popular, mainly due to their therapeutic nature. The members of the dance and music groups were also active in inter-prison competitions. During the time of our visit, I was privileged with listening to and overlooking the patriotic segments they were preparing for the upcoming Republic Day celebrations. The inmates were also immensely enthusiastic when the potential of further sporting activities like formation of various sports teams were being discussed.
As a student, my time in the prison had given me a new perspective regarding how India Vision’s work is beneficial in prisons like this. Being an outsider, my idea of prisons was mostly extremely negative and filled with violence mainly due to their past reputation and their depiction in various forms of mainstream media. However, India Vision has done a tremendous job with the resources it has to convert a section of a prison like this into a Reformation Center instead of a place of immense and sometimes cruel punishment. Most inmates, especially those involved in India Vision’s vocational center,were cooperative and well natured despite their circumstances, respectful towards staff from both the prison and India Vision, and had an eagerness to learn various vocational skills. The difference in atmosphere between the barracks and the IVF vocational center was worlds apart. While the barracks displayed a gloomy part of the usual prison lifestyle, the India Vision vocational center clearly gave the inmates a sign of purpose, hope and happiness. The inmates themselves mentioned that the vocational skills India Vision has been providing throughout these years were extremely beneficial for them, preventing issues related to mental health, as well as providing them skills which would help them reintegrate into society once they complete their time in the prison, which most released inmates struggle with. They had also mentioned how these vocational skills would help them regain sources of work and income once they are back in society, due to the skills they learnt thanks to India Vision in the prison, free of cost.
