Officers voice for women prisoners welfare

 Principal district and sessions court judge Mohan Sripad Sankolli on Thursday said that the government should change its attitude, treating prisoners equally with others after they walk out of jail.

Addressing women prisoners at Central Prisons Mysore, after inaugurating an awareness programme on rejuvenating their mental ability, organised jointly by the district legal services authority, women and child development department and international association for religious freedom  (IARF), the judge recalled an incident.

A woman convict who had completed her sentence, pursued her higher education. She later applied for a job in a government department and also emerged topper in the merit list.

However, she was declined the job when it was found that ‘she is a former prisoner’.
The judge said that the government should take a positive stand in such cases. Instead of depriving them an opportunity, they should be encouraged to return to the mainstream of the society.

In the earlier days women were taking care of the chores, while men were out on work. As the society changed with women too taking up jobs on par with men, still there aren’t many opportunities.

The percentage of jobs reserved for women is still less. Similar is the rigid attitude towards women when it comes to considering them for responsible positions.
He said that he will discuss the issue with authorities concerned for the better of women inmates in jails.

Chief superintendent of the prisons P N Jayasimha, who seemed emotional, said majority of the women prisoners are innocents. 

He also clarified that he was not interfering with the judiciary, but made a point that not all are accused, but are the victims of circumstances.

Good conduct

Making an indirect reference to the prisoners not being released on their good conduct on account of independence day celebrations for the last few years, Jayasimha said there are instances of women inmates who had completed five years of sentence released from jail.

Still there are two prisoners who even after completing 14 years of imprisonment languish behind bars.

‘Even if two are released it will rekindle hope among others”, the chief superintendent said. Development inspector, department of women and child development, S B Nirmala explained them about the plenty of opportunities available to take up self- employment after releasing from the jail and the financial assistance provided by the department.

Principal senior civil judge and member secretary of the district legal services authority B Nandakumar, national secretary of IARF Mohammed Shabbeer Ahmed, president Jnana Jyothi Mahila Okkoota and advocate M A Hemalatha, Malu Bai from women and child welfare department were present.