The captive humans: Life in Central Jail, Guwahati

Confinement within four walls, one of them bearing steel bars, is certainly not the most comforting of thoughts nor does it ever figure among one’s fondest desires. However, there is a fairly large population that spend years behind bars. One’s action always has a suitable repercussion and some of these repercussions make one end up in jail shutting one off from society, family and loved ones. Jail reflects the sediments of the microcosm of the society outside. Thus, to no one’s surprise, there are 1016 inmates in the Central Jail, Guwahati alone. From petty criminals such as those convicted for theft to criminals as dangerous as terrorists, all are housed under one roof and behind bars in the facility called Central Jail, Guwahati.  Set up in 1881, the earlier structure of Central Jail was at Fancy Bazaar until 2012 when it was moved to Sarusajai. The upgraded jail was inaugurated on 30th April 2010 but only started functioning from April, 2012 when 805 inmates were shifted there. The older structure of the jail had a capacity of 500 inmates whereas the present structure has double the capacity. It would not be surprising if one feels intimidated by very the thought of taking a stroll through a jail filled with convicts and being surrounded by people who are deprived of freedom against their will. A mere visit is enough to submerge anyone in a plethora of emotions. The outer yard is usually filled with visitors (friends and family members) lining up for permission to meet their near ones who are behind bars. As one gets closer to the main premises, one cannot help notice an overwhelming murmuring buzz coming from the other side of the mammoth walls of the inner jail: a constant low, monotone hum that remains throughout the day.   Life in a prison   Jail life is certainly not easy and is a solid reason to discourage people from indulging in criminal activities. Prison environments are unnatural and inhuman. Along with other aspects of prison life, it can easily lead one to serious psychological disarray. Beside the strict regulations imposed on the prisoners, criminals such as dacoits, murderers, black marketers and smugglers are all placed under one roof. Spread over 28 acres including 11 acres of the actual jail area, the Central Jail was constructed with a capacity for 1000 inmates of which 900 are for male and 100 for female inmates. However the current capacity of inmates has been overstretched by 116 with 1016 male inmates being accommodated against the capacity of 900. However, there are 48 female inmates against the capacity of 100.    Infrastructure   The Central Jail, Guwahati receives around 20 under trial prisoners (UTP) on a daily basis. The jail has 5 buildings that have 8 to 10 barracks where the inmates are lodged. The prisoners are awakened at dawn and are sent back to their cells by dusk. Dawn would be around 4:00 am to 5:00 am during summer. Timings may differ during winter. Inmates are let out of their barracks after a head count and are allowed to remain in the open within the jail area.   The food served in jail has always raised curiosity. In the Guwahati jail inmates are served breakfast at around 7:00 am. Breakfast consists of tea, bread (roti) and a piece of jaggery (gud). It is followed by lunch which is served between 10:00 am to 11:30 am, reason being the convicts often have to be presented in the court. The meal consists of rice, dal and some vegetables. Non-vegetarian fare is served in two meals a week. Before the inmates are sent back to their barracks before dusk dinner is served at around 5:00 pm. It basically consists of the same food as served for lunch.   The Central jail also consists of a 45-bedded hospital with x-ray facility and a laboratory. The hospital is supported by 2 doctors, a pharmacist, a nurse, a radiographer and a lab-technician.   Security   The notion that prisoners are dangerous criminals automatically requires the jail has to be heavily guarded. Several men in khaki are deployed by the police department and officials of a battalion equipped with firearms guard the boundary of the jail round the clock. Meanwhile, there are 46 warders apart from the clerical staff that keep an eye on the inmates. The warders’ department is monitored by a chief head warder and a head warder. There are others such as jail staff, clerical staff and ministerial staff. The 46 warders work on two different shifts (day and evening) and carry out the process of head count besides ensuring the smooth functioning of any activity within the jail premise.   Solitary confinement is another major part of a jail that correction officials describe as a prison within the prison, and for good reason. For 23 hours a day, inmates are kept inside a cell that is approximately smaller than a typical horse stable. Cells are furnished with a bed, sink and toilet, but rarely much else and the food is delivered through a slot in the door. However, according to officials of the jail, solitary confinement has been disengaged and is only used for medical purpose on being prescribed by the doctor. It was mentioned that the confinement is only used when an inmate is infected by a communicable disease such as tuberculosis. Such confinements are also used when a prisoner goes haywire and become difficult to control. In Guwahati Central Jail an alarm buzzes off when such havoc takes place whereby all prisoners are asked to get back to their respective barracks while those creating the nuisance are battered by the jail authorities. Activities    Along with the disciplinary measures there are also several activities carried out in the jail that help the prisoners to remain occupied with productive engagement. Along with the maintenance of the jail premise, the inmates are engaged in craft work such as making products out of plastic, cane and bamboo and other utilities such as boxes, buckets, mugs, etc. These are not sold but are transported to other jails as per requirements. Other utilitarian goods are brought from other jails. Apart from menial labour, those who are skilled are engaged in activities according to their expertise keeping the safety measures in mind. The inmates are also paid for their hardship; the skilled ones are paid a wage of Rs. 75 and the menial labourers are paid Rs. 55 per day. The total amount is transferred in an account provided by the jail authority after an inmate has served his or her term.   Jail to have a rain water harvesting project   The Central Jail will soon be equipped with rainwater harvesting system. The expected completion time is by the end of this year. Due to overcrowding the jail has been suffering from acute scarcity of water which increases during the dry winters. Currently, the jail is dependent on two bore-wells which are also expected to be augmented by another bore-well in the near future. Meanwhile, the rainwater harvesting project will be initiated in an under-construction building and will capacitate 40,000 litres of water. Rainwater harvesting is a technique used for collecting, storing and using rainwater from sources such as rooftops and/or other manmade over ground hard surfaces. 1000 is the accommodation capacity of Central Jail, Guwahati 900 Males  100 Females 1016 is the Current number of inmates lodged  Overcrowded by 116 male inmates against a capacity of 900 48 Current number of female inmates There has been no escape from Central Jail, Guwahati since January, 2015 There are no death row convicts currently in Central Jail, Guwahati There are a total of 31 jails in Assam 6 Central Jails in Assam   22 District Jails   District jails serve as the main prisons in States/UTs where there are no Central Jails. States which have a considerable number of District Jails are Uttar Pradesh (56), Madhya Pradesh (33), Bihar (31), Maharashtra (27), Rajasthan (25), Karnataka (19), Jharkhand (17) and Haryana (16).   1 Special Jail in Nagaon   Special jail means any prison provided for the confinement of a particular class or particular classes of prisoners. Such jails are high security facilities that have specialized arrangements for keeping offenders and prisoners who are convicted of terrorism, insurgency and violent crimes.   1 Open Air Jail at Jorhat   Open jails are minimum security prisons. Prisoners with good behaviour satisfying certain norms prescribed in the prison rules are admitted in open prisons. Prisoners, here, are engaged in agricultural activities. Seventeen states have functioning Open Jails in their jurisdiction. Rajasthan reported the highest number of 23 open jails. There are no Open Jails in any of the UTs as at the end of 2014.   1 Lockup Jail in Halflong   In Assam hangings are carried out in Central Jail in Jorhat   Prison inmates lodged in Indian jails are categorised as Convicts, Under-trials and Detenues.   A convict is a person found guilty of a crime and sentenced by a court or a person serving a sentence in prison. An under-trial is a person who is currently on trial in a court of law. A detenu is any person held in custody. Madhya Pradesh has the highest number Central Jails, the number being 11. The earlier structure of Central Jail, Guwahati was located in Fancy Bazaar which was set up in 1881 The new structure in Sarusajai, which is spread over 28 acres and has the capacity of 1000 inmates, started functioning in 2012 The structure has 5 buildings and has 8 to 10 barracks in each building The jail receives around 20 under trial prisoners everyday Apart from several police officials who guard the jail, there are there are 46 warders who keep an eye on the inmates Prisoners are indulged in craftsmanship and are paid a fee of Rs. 55 to Rs. 75 per day