'Women undertrials should remain mentally strong'

The women inmates at the prison should engage themselves with good thoughts. They should divert their minds towards productive work and remain mentally strong, said principal District and Sessions Judge K S Beelagi.

He was speaking during the valedictory of a 10-day orientation programme organised by the District Legal Services Authority, Prisons, Health, Women and Child Welfare and Education departments and the DEEDS organisation, for women inmates at the district prison in Mangaluru, on Monday.

“The undertrials are innocent until they are proven guilty. Unfortunately, the children of women inmates have to suffer for no mistake of theirs,” he said. The judge called upon them to get acquainted with vocational skills by utilising the facilities provided by the prison department so that they can start a new life when they are set free. He, meanwhile, asked the concerned authority to see to it that the investigations of women undertrials are not dragged for too long.

Women and Child Welfare deputy director Sundar Poojary said that the department has been providing assistance to the prison department, and an anganwadi worker visits the prison every day to take care of the necessities of the children of women inmates. The Women and Child Welfare department provides nutritious food and pre-school training to the children at the prison.

District Health officer Dr Ramakrishna Rao said that the Ayush department has provided training in yoga for them in the prison.

DEEDS organisation coordinator Harini said that the organisation strives for the rehabilitation of women undertrials once they are set free.

Speaking on the occasion, an undertrial woman said that they would like to undergo training in courses such as sewing so that they can make their living after coming out of prison. Sessions on mental health were conducted
and counselling has been provided.

Senior Civil Judge and district legal services authority member secretary Dr Mallanagowda B Patil,
DCP (Law and Order) Hanumantaraya.

DDPI Y Shivaramaiah, district women and child welfare deputy director Sundar Poojary and District Prison superintendent B Suresh were among those present on the occasion.