The ‘Jeb Katra’ in Nahan jail

A lot of shortcomings persist, but there has been a paradigm shift over the years in how prisoners are dealt with in Indian jails. The colonial-era system was primarily focused on the torture and ill-treatment of inmates. Post-Independence, attempts were made to make prisons more humane, reformative and rehabilitative. The Constitution provides the legal basis for the protection of prisoners from degrading punishment and guarantees fundamental rights too. The Supreme Court has also expanded prisoners’ rights through its various judgments from time to time.

The Model Prisons and Correctional Services Act, 2023, further solidifies this shift by incorporating provisions for the skilling of prisoners. Punjab, Haryana and Chandigarh have recently taken a laudable decision to open ITIs in different jails, providing certificates recognised by the National Council for Vocational Education and Training so that the prisoners become self-supporting when they leave the jails. However, the inmates need much more for psychological support and all-round development.

I am reminded of my own experiences with some prisoners in Nahan jail, when I remained posted as the Additional District Magistrate there. Some prisoners were creating problems for the jail staff and the District Magistrate wanted me to visit the jail and sort out the matter.

The inmates were paraded before me. One of the troublemakers was introduced to me as ‘JK Boss’. What does JK stand for, I asked. “He is Jeb Katra (pickpocket). All jail inmates and the staff call him JK Boss, sir,” the reply came.

What is the trouble with him, I enquired. “He bruises his body with a blade every now and then and when reprimanded, creates a ruckus.”

I saw his scarred body and asked him angrily as to why he did so. “Sir, I have been requesting the jail staff to provide me with a notebook or some blank sheets but my request goes unheeded,” he promptly replied.

I was curious why he needed paper to write on. “Sir, I want to write the story of my life, my autobiography,” he went on.

I was taken aback. So you want to write about your experiences of pickpocketing, I shot back. “Yes sir, I have much more to say. I will write that though I and others like me are in jail for pickpocketing, those outside the jail are no less guilty. We steal from a few pockets but they steal from the pockets of the whole community through rishvat (bribery), tax chori (tax evasion), kaamchori (shirking work) and chai-pani (gifts and favours). I have some principles, sir. I never raid the pocket of a resident of Nahan. After all, I have eaten its salt before I turned to pickpocketing,” he said.

I was speechless. I ordered the jail staff to give him a big leaf register so that he could write whatever he wanted to.

I was then led to a barrack where two highly qualified prisoners were kept. They were implicated for some fight during a wedding function resulting in the death of a person. They were booked for murder and ultimately landed in Nahan jail. They were so conversant with the jail manual that even a small breach would antagonise them.

One of the two wanted to appear for his MBA exam through the Indira Gandhi National Open University (IGNOU). The point of dispute was whether the jail could be declared as an examination centre. I spoke to the Nahan Deputy Commissioner, who took up the matter with the IGNOU authorities in Shimla.

The issue was settled and Nahan jail was declared a centre as a special case.

I visited the jail on a number of occasions thereafter. The small gestures had brought a sea change in the behaviour of these prisoners.

— The writer is a retired IAS officer