Women in Punjab jails face prolonged Trials

CHANDIGARH: Women in Punjab jails face overcrowding and prolonged trials, with issues including inadequate facilities and extended detention for undertrials.

Women in Punjab jails, ranging from 20 to 80 years old, are enduring severe issues due to prolonged trials and overcrowding, reports Raj Lali Gill, Chairperson of the Punjab State Commission for Women, in an interview with The Sunday Guardian.

A notable case involves an octogenarian woman who was jailed after her daughter-in-law hanged herself at their home. Despite the woman’s claim of not being in the village at the time, she was arrested and has been in jail since she was 78; she is now 80. Another case concerns a 20-year-old woman working at an immigration company, who was arrested during a police raid without the opportunity to prove her innocence. Her situation is exacerbated by the lack of a formal employment contract. Chairperson Gill highlights that many women face prolonged jail time due to extended trials.

Gill recently visited Amritsar Central Jail and Ropar Jail to assess the conditions and facilities for women prisoners. She reported that overcrowding in Punjab jails remains a serious issue. Amritsar Central Jail, designed for 260 women prisoners, currently houses 183, including 22 sentenced prisoners, 153 undertrials, five foreigners, one foreign accused, and two undertrial foreigners. Some inmates are pregnant and nearing delivery, prompting the Women’s Commission to recommend better facilities for them.

During her visit, Gill emphasised the need for regular medical check-ups and the provision of legal, medical, and educational services for women inmates. She urged jail officials to continually inspect and improve these facilities. Gill also noted that young women seeking lucrative job offers are often victims of immigration scams. She advised that if companies fail to provide employment documents, the women should immediately report to the police.

Gill listened attentively to the concerns of women prisoners, who highlighted the prolonged inaction on their undertrial cases. She assured them that their legitimate issues would be addressed promptly and requested a detailed report to expedite the judicial process. Addressing their problems is a priority for the commission, she reiterated.

Additionally, Gill reviewed products made by women prisoners, such as suits, children’s toys, and teddy bears, and praised the prison administration for this initiative, which boosts inmate morale. She also distributed gifts to the children of the women prisoners.
Her visit included a thorough inspection of the hospital, kitchen, library, and various barracks, as well as a review of the food prepared in the Langar Hall. Gill identified deficiencies in hospital equipment and instructed officers to address these issues immediately.

Jail Superintendent Anurag Kumar Azad provided a detailed account of the jail’s capacity and current inmate statistics. Amritsar Central Jail, with a capacity for 260 women prisoners, currently houses 183, including 22 sentenced prisoners, 153 undertrials, five foreigners, one foreign accused, and two undertrial foreigners. Additionally, there are eight children of women prisoners in the ladies’ ward.