The Gazetteers Department

There is one district prison and six taluka sub-jails in Sangli district. Prisoners with agricultural bail are inhabited in the Swatantrapur Colony situated at a distance of about two and a half miles from Atpadi where they are allowed to take their families. These prisoners work on the farm admeasuring about 58 acres attached to the Colony.

Classification.

The prison at Sangli has been classified as the district prison class II [Vide Government Home Department, Order No. RJM. l058/(i)-IV, dated 26th Aprill 962.] mainly for confinement of casual prisoners sentenced up to two years and local undertrial prisoners.

The taluka sub-jails governed under the rules of the.. Bombay sub-jail manual in the districts are located at Islampur, Jath, Miraj, Tasgaon, Vita and Shirala.

Accommodation.

Sangli District Prison can accommodate 166 prisoners. The daily average population of the district prison during the year 1963 was 216. During 1963, 1,735 persons were admitted to the District Prison as against 1,669 released. Figures under the same heads for the year 1962 were 1,538 and 1,598, respectively.

Organisation.

For purposes of prison administration, the State has been divided into two Regions viz., Eastern Region and Western Region. The Aurangabad and Nagpur revenue divisions constitute the Eastern Region and Bombay and Poona revenue divisions constitute the Western Region. The Superintendents of Nagpur Central Prison and the Yeravda Central Prison have been appointed as ex-officio Deputy Inspector General of Prisons of the Eastern and Western Regions respectively. Some of the powers exercised by the Inspector General of Prisons have been delegated to the Deputy Inspectors General of Prisons. The Regional Deputy Inspectors General of Prisons have been put in the immediate over-all charge of the prisons in their respective regions. The Inspector General of Prisons exercisies general control and superintendence of all prisons and jails in the State, subject to the orders of the State Government.

The Superintendent, Sangli District Prison, is vested with executive management of the prison in all matters relating to internal economy, discipline, lahour, punishment, etc., subject to the orders and authority of the Regional Deputy Inspector General of Prisons and the Inspector General of Prisons, Maharashtra State, Poona. The Superintendent, Sangli District Prison, is assisted in his work by the Jailor Group II and other ministerial staff. Prisoners promoted to the rank of Convict Overseers and Night Watchmen are utilised for prison services.

The full-time Medical Officer on deputation from the Medical department looks after the prison hospital at the Sangli District Prison.

Training.

The Jail Officers' Training School was started in 1955 at Poona, with a view to imparting practical as well as theoretical training to the prison officers (Superintendents of Prisons:, Jailors Group I and II) on various subjects relating to correctional administration and prison management. This School provides training to guards and N.C.O.s also.

Accounts test has been prescribed for Gazetted and Non-Gazetted staff of the prison department. The examination is conducted by the Public Service Commission twice a year. The Inspector General of Prisons conducts examination twice a year for ministerial and technical staff. The ministerial staff is deputed for training in accounts matters every three months. The training is organised by the Deputy Director of Accounts and Treasuries at Bombay, Poona, Nagpur and Aurangabad.

Classification of Prisoners.

Prisoners are classified as Class-I or Class-II by the Court after taking in to consideration their status in society and also the nature of the offence committed. They are further classified as casuals, habituals, under-trials, etc.

Work.

On admission, a prisoner is examined by the Medical Officer, who classifies him as fit for light, medium or hard labour. Suitable work is assigned to prisoners after taking into account their health conditions, aptitude, etc.

Industries.

Prisoners are engaged in handloom weaving, pitloom weaving and tailoring at the Sangli District Prison. The value of the products was placed at Rs. 17,663 in 1962 and Rs. 26,491 in 1963. The number of workers engaged in these factories was 46 in 1962 and 45 in 1963.

Wages.

Prisoners who are engaged in prison occupations are paid wages as per rules.

Remission of entence.

Prisoners are granted ordinary remission, annual good con- duct remission special remission, state remission, blood donation remission, remission for conservancy work and remission for physical training as per the rules.

Release on Parole and Furough.

A prisoner is released on parole by the Divisional Commissioner under whose jurisdiction the prisoner is lodged, in the event 0f serious, illness or death of any member of his family or his nearest relative or for any other sufficient cause. The period spent on parole does not count as part of sentence.

During 1963 expenditure in respect of Sangli District Prison was Rs. 8.5,569.

Advisory Board.

The cases of long-term prisoners are initially reviewed by an Advisory Board. Deserving prisoners are released prematurely under the orders of Government by remitting the unexpired portion of their sentences.

Board of Visitors.

A Board of Visitors comprising official and non-official visitors is appointed for the prison. There are four non-official visitors of which two are the members of the Maharashtra Legislature and are nominated by the Government. The appointment of non-official visitors other than members of the Maharashtra Legislature is made for a period not exceeding three years.

Two moral lecturers have been appointed at the Sangli District Prison.

Education

Literacy classes are conducted for prisoners under the super- vision of a paid teacher. School books, slates and pencils are provided to prisoners at Government cost. Prisoners who desire to prosecute higher studies are also extended necessary facilities. Education in ethics and good citizenship is conducted at the District Prison by two eminent persons appointed for the purpose.

Recreational and Cultural Activities.

Documentary and full length films are exhibited to prisoners ordinarily once a month by the Publicity department. Newspapers are supplied to convict prisoners at Government cost as per the scale laid down under the rules. A library has been organised for the benefit of prisoners. Prisoners are also permitted to keep at a time two religious and ten non-religious books of their own. Facilities for playing games like hu-tu-tu, kho-kho, volley-ball, atya-patya, lezim, etc., have been provided for the prisoners.

Welfare of Prisoners.

Matters pertaining to the welfare of prisoners are attended to by prison officers as per rules. A canteen is also conducted for their benefit.

Discipline.

Emphasis is always 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 attitude of the prisoners.

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