LAW, ORDER AND JUSTICE

PRISON DEPARTMENT

Classification.—The prison at Bhir is classified as a district prison class III. [Government, Home Department, Notification No. RJM. 1058 (i)-IV. date 26th April 1962.] Local undertrial prisoners as also convicted prisoners sentenced up to six months are confined in this prison. Other categories of prisoners from Bhir district such as habitual prisoners, casual convicted prisoners sentenced for more than six months, etc., are sent to the central prisons and district prisons class I and II in Nagpur and Aurangabad divisions.

The magisterial lock-ups in Bhir district are located at Ashti, Manjlegaon, Georai, Kaij and Ambejogai. Prisoners sentenced up to one week and local undertrials are confined in these lock-ups.

Accommodation and daily average population.—Authorised accommodation and the daily average population of the district prison, class III at Bhir for 1962 and 1963 were as under: —

Admission and release.—During the year 1963, 385 prisoners were admitted to the district prison as against 378 released.

Organisation

The Inspector-General of Prisons exercises, general control and superintendence over all prisons and jails in the state subject to the orders of the state government. The jailor-cum-superintendent, in-charge of the Bhir district prison is vested with executive management of the prison in all matters relating to discipline, labour, punishment, etc., subject to the orders and authority of the Regional Deputy Inspector-General of Prisons, Eastern Region. Nagpur and the Inspector-General of Prisons, Maharashtra State. Poona.

The jailor-cum-superintendent is assisted by a junior clerk and 15 jail guards. Armed guards are deputed by the police department. Prisoners promoted to the ranks of convict overseers and night watchmen are utilized for prison services.

Recruitment.—The superintendent and other staff under him are governed by the recruitment rules of the Prison department.

Training.—The jail officers' training school was started in the year 1955 at Yeravda, (Poona) with a view to imparting practical well as theoretical training to prison officers on various subjects relating to correctional administration and prison management. Similarly, newly recruited guards and N. C. Os. arc given training in this school.

Accounts test has been prescribed for gazetted and non-gazetted staff of the Prison department (i.e., superintendents, jailors, clerks, etc.). The examination is conducted by the Public Service Commission twice a year. The Inspector-General of Prisons conducts examination twice a year for the ministerial staff which is deputed for training in accounts matters every three months, organised by the Deputy Director of Accounts and Treasuries at Bombay, Poona, Nagpur and Aurangabad.

Medical staff.—The Maharashtra Medical Service Officer in-charge of the government dispensary or the medical officer attached to the Zilla Parishad or a municipal dispensary stationed at or nearest to the place where the prison is situated functions as the medical officer of the prison. He has to visit the district prison, class III, regularly at least twice a week and also at such other times as he may be sent for to attend the cases of serious illness. Stock of medicines is always kept in the prison office to treat minor cases of illness, etc., while the serious cases are transferred to the local government dispensary for treatment.

Classification of prisoners.—Prisoners are classified as class I or class II. They are further classified as casuals, habituals, undertrials, etc.

Prison Farm.—3.642 Hectares (nine acres) of land is under cultivation of prison management. About 14 prisoners from the Bhir district prison work daily on the prison farm.

Release on parole and furlough.—A prisoner is released on parole by the Divisional Commissioner under whose jurisdiction the prisoner is lodged in the event of serious illness or death of any member of his family or his nearest relative or on any other sufficient ground. The period spent on parole does not count as part of sentence.

A prisoner who is sentenced to more than one year and up to five years and who has actually undergone one year's imprisonment is eligible for release on furlough for a period of two weeks. The period spent on furlough counts as part of the sentence. A prisoner who is sentenced to more than five years is eligible for furlough on completion of two years of actual imprisonment.

Remission.—Convicted prisoners get remission as per rules.

Board of visitors.—A board of visitors comprising official and non-official visitors is appointed for the Central Prisons and district prisons class I, II and III. There are four non-official visitors at each district prison, class III of which two are members of the Maharashtra Legislature and two are nominated by government. The appointment of non-official visitors other than members of Maharashtra Legislature is made for a period not exceeding three years. The board of visitors meets once in three months.

Moral lecturers.—Arrangements have been made to impart ethical education to the prisoners by the appointment of two scholars in the field. They give a lecture once a week to the prisoners. The prisoners are also taught the elementary principles of citizenship.

Recreational activities for prisoners.—Documentary and full length films are exhibited to prisoners ordinarily once a month by the publicity department of the Zilla Parishad. Newspapers are supplied to convicted prisoners at government cost. A library has been organised for the benefit of prisoners. Prisoners are permitted to keep at a time two religious and ten non-religious books for their own use. Facilities for playing games like hu-tu-tu, kho-kho, volley-ball, atya-patya, lezim, etc., are provided for the prisoners.

Education.—Educational classes are conducted for the benefit of prisoners.

Welfare of prisoners.—Matters pertaining to the welfare of prisoners are attended to by prison officials.

Discipline.—Emphasis is laid on the maintenance of good discipline in the prison. Positive and constructive discipline is treated as the basic foundation for wholesome changes in the attitudes of the prisoners.