MADURAI (The Hindu), April 14, 2008:
By S. Vijay Kumar
SPECIAL CARE: Senior inmates watching television in the Palayamkottai Central Prison. Life will change for these life convicts soon. Instead of being locked up in cells from dusk to dawn, senior citizens lodged in prisons across the State will be housed in a centrally located cottage in the prison compound amidst trees, and with the benefit of ventilation and breeze.
For the first time, the concept of the ‘Old Age Home’ is being introduced in Tamil Nadu prisons. The Palayamkottai central prison in Tirunelveli district is the first to move convicts aged over 60 out of dimly-lit, congested cells. A 29-inch colour television, newspapers and fans are part of the cottage-cum-prison. At least 200 elderly convicts lodged in this facility are “very happy” with the extra care. They play indoor games and are entitled for special diet on doctor’s advice, says Jail Superintendent C. Kannan.
According to Additional Director-General of Police (Prisons) A. Subramanian, the facility will soon be extended to other jails in the interest of elderly convicts. “We have plans to emulate the model in all the nine central prisons and three special prisons for women. It is a welfare measure implemented on humanitarian grounds. Besides basic amenities, we are making the environment conducive in the cottage to make their life easy,” he said.
On ‘Elders Day,’ senior citizens get sweets and fruits, besides toiletries. Of the 107 convicts above 75 in various prisons, a majority are serving a life sentence. “They are not keen on an early release. We have only a handful of petitions seeking premature release. They seem to feel comfortable inside…”
The Prison Department has directed Jail Superintendents to provide special care to the elderly.
Periodic health screening is done by jail doctors. These inmates practise yoga and meditation.
“Considering their ripe age, prison should be more a place to repent or reform than to suffer hardships. We are trying to be humane as these aged convicts may spend the rest of their life in jail,” the ADGP said.
Mr. Kannan said the jail had a hall with a 35-mm screen where movies were played for all prisoners every Saturday. “Last week we played the Rajni-starrer Sivaji, which evoked a good response. Many prisoners show interest in watching MGR movies,” he said.
Copyright © 2008, The Hindu.
