Question : Women Prisoners

(a) the total number of women prisoners lodged in various jails and the details of jails that are exclusively reserved for women along with the details of basic facilities provided to them, State-wise;

(b) the ratio of correctional staff (staff trained in mental health, professional/ caretaker/skilled counselor) to the total number of women prisoners in jails, Statewise;

(c) whether the Government has any proposal to extend facilities to children of such women prisoners in terms of schooling, shelter and nutrition and if so, the details thereof; and

(d) the other steps taken by the Government for the welfare of women prisoners in the country?

MINISTER OF STATE IN THE MINISTRY OF HOME AFFAIRS
(SHRI HANSRAJ GANGARAM AHIR)

(a) & (b): As per data compiled by the National Crime Records Bureau (NCRB), there were 18,188 women inmates in the jails of the country at the end of 2013 which decreased to 17,681 women inmates at the end of
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L.S.US.Q.NO.2545 FOR 02.08.2016
2014. A State/UT wise statement of women inmates lodged in the jails of the country at the end of 2012, 2013 and 2014 is at Annexure-I while the State wise statement of correctional staff is at Annexure II

(c) & (d): “Prisons” is a State subject as per entry 4 of List II of the Seventh Schedule to the Constitution of India, the administration and management of prisons is primarily the responsibility of the State Governments. However in the light of guidelines by the Supreme Court in R. D Upadhyaya case for children of women prisoners an advisory dated 17-7-2009 on prison administration was issued to all States/UTs and in the new Modern Prison Manual 2016 additional provisions have been incorporated for Women Prisoners which include-

(i) Provision for holistic development of children, including provision of food, medical care, clothing, education and recreational facilities
(ii) Providing pre-natal and post natal care to pregnant women offenders
(iii) Taking care of nutritional requirements of children and provision of clean drinking water
(iv) Ensuring a well-equipped crèche and a nursery school for children to be looked after
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