In a significant move focusing on prison reform and inmate welfare, Punjab Governor and Chandigarh Administrator, Gulab Chand Kataria, conducted a comprehensive review of the Burail Jail on Tuesday. Accompanied by Chief Secretary H Rajesh Prasad and other senior officials, the visit aimed to assess living conditions, skill initiatives, and healthcare services for prisoners.
First-Hand Inspection of Food and Facilities
The administrator's visit began with a thorough check of the jail kitchen. Kataria personally inspected the hygiene standards, examined the modern equipment installed, and even tasted the food to assess its nutritional quality and taste. He interacted with the kitchen staff, sharing tips to improve cooking practices.
Moving to the sweets production section, he reviewed the confectioneries made by inmates and the cold storage facilities. Officials briefed him on the wages paid to prisoners engaged in such productive work, highlighting a model for vocational engagement.
Emphasis on Skill Development and Healthcare
A key focus area was the Jeevan Dhara Industrial Training Institute (ITI) operating within the jail premises. Here, Kataria reviewed vocational courses like woodwork and sewing technology offered to inmates who have passed Class 10. He encouraged the prisoners to enhance their skills and suggested potential tie-ups with Chandigarh administration institutions for repair and maintenance work, creating future employment avenues.
In the women's jail section, the administrator inspected kitchen facilities, a library-cum-reading room, and ITI activities. He listened to appeals from women inmates and expressed particular concern for undertrials who lack family or social support for securing bail.
The review extended to the jail dispensary, where doctors detailed the medical facilities, pharmacy management, and referral procedures. The administration ensures routine medical care, with inmates requiring specialised treatment being referred to hospitals under the Chandigarh administration.
Push for Rehabilitation and Infrastructure Upgrades
Kataria also reviewed cultural and rehabilitative initiatives. He interacted with a music instructor and stressed the importance of extending similar creative opportunities to women inmates. The administrator inspected the centralised radio system that plays Om chants across the jail premises.
Emphasising justice and rehabilitation as core principles, Governor Kataria directed officials to focus on undertrials who have been lodged for extended periods and to expedite their legal processes. He also called for immediate road repairs within the jail complex to improve overall infrastructure and safety for everyone inside.
This inspection underscores a holistic approach towards prison management in Chandigarh, balancing necessary security with a strong emphasis on inmate welfare, skill development, and successful social reintegration.
