Yerawada set for state’s first open jail for women

Speaking to The Indian Express,Inspector General of Police (Prisons) Uddhav Kamble appreciated the state government for approving their proposal for an open jail for women.

“The main benefit is that women prisoners will now get remission in their punishment. So far,this facility was only for male prisoners as the state has four open jails for men,” Kamble said.

“Besides reduction in prison term,the open jail will also help in improving the living condition of women prisoners. Those eligible for open jail will be given training in farming,painting,weaving and other skills. The women prisoners will also be given remuneration for their work. They will be equipped with new skills and knowledge which will also improve their physical and mental conditions,” he said.

The infrastructure required for the open jail for women was in place at Yerwada,he said. Seventeen acres of agricultural land adjacent to the women’s jail premises will be utilised for the purpose.

“The selection procedure for female prisoners will be similar to that of male prisoners. Those who have completed a five-year prison term are eligible for the open jail. But convicts in crimes such as narcotics trade,gang wars,dacoity and robbery will not be considered,” he said.

On Tuesday,Ramesh Bagwe,minister of state for home and jail,told the legislative council that the government will start its first open jail for women at Yerwada Central Prison in Pune.

Bagwe was replying to a calling attention motion moved by Congress MLC Mohan Joshi. Bagwe said the government will soon issue a notification about the open jail for women prisoners.

There are about 300 women prisoners at Yerwada jail. However,the facility of open jail will be available for eligible female convicts in all other prisons in the state as well. A committee headed by the Inspector General of Police (Prisons) will select the women prisoners for the open jail.

Another advantage that will accrue to the women prisoners is that while in a regular jail women prisoners are allowed only seven days’ parole irrespective of the duration of their sentence,in the open jail those serving life sentences will be liable to get parole for up to a month.