Delhi High Court Acting Chief Justice A. K. Sikri released an information booklet, “Rights and Duties of Jail Inmates”, at Tihar Central Jail here on Saturday.
Addressing the inmates, Justice Sikri said the booklet would be of great help to them in terms of information on a range of issues concerning them. It educates them regarding their rights and facilities inside the prison.
Director-General (Prisons) Neeraj Kumar also apprised them of the advantages of having such a booklet, which has been developed in coordination with Ajay Verma of non-government organisation International Bridges to Justice India.
Apart from the history of Tihar Jail and information on jail officials, the booklet will have details of the case under which an inmate has been sent to jail. It will also mention dates of court proceedings. “It provides that the inmates, while being admitted, should inform jail authorities about any ailment they are suffering from, about medicines they have been prescribed. They should keep their history card with them, it is their responsibility,” said Jail spokesperson Sunil Gupta. The booklet says jail inmates can get coupons for Rs.1,500 per week.
“They get five chapattis or rice, daal and vegetable for lunch and dinner. In the evening, they are served tea with biscuits. Patients are served special meals as prescribed. The inmates can also purchase food from the in-house canteen. Children of women inmates, below six years of age, are provided food and clothes.”
The 150-bed jail hospital has all basic medical care facilities, including X-ray and ECG tests. Besides, the booklet also has details on the procedure followed for meeting visitors. “Except on weekends and public holidays, they can meet twice a week, only in the presence of a jail official. Foreigners lodged in the jail can meet embassy officials between 4 p.m. and 5 p.m. The inmates can receive one-time vegetarian meal from outside during the meeting,” said Mr. Gupta.
Entertainment facilities like television, games, sporting and cultural events have also been mentioned. “It also has specific details on remunerations they are entitled to for the work they do.”
The 32-page booklet lists the items and activities prohibited inside the jail and corresponding punitive measures.
