The Largest Prison Complex In South Asia, We're Telling You All About The Tihar Jail In Delhi

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A far cry from the bustling and crowded Delhi roads lies the Tihar Jail, often only disturbed by the sound of pigeons and stray dogs roaming around its vicinity. This is the largest prison complex in South Asia and is located in the Tihar Village, 7 Kms from Chanakyapuri, lying near the Hari Nagar area. 

Tihar is not just a regular prison but is maintained as a ‘Correctional Institution’ which aims to transform the prisoners into contributing members of the society by providing them with useful skills and education. 

Amongst its 12,000 inmates, some known personalities have included Satwant Singh and Kehar Singh (assassins of Indira Gandhi), A. Raja, M K Kanimozhi  and Sanjay Chandra (2G spectrum scamsters), Suresh Kalmadi (of the 2010 Commonwealth Games scandal fame), Amar Singh, Anna Hazare and Arvind Kejriwal.

Various Activities Taking Place Here

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This prison organizes sports like volleyball, cricket, basketball, kho-kho, kabaddi, chess, carom etc in events like the ‘Tihar Olympics’. Cultural activities like music, dance, sher-o-shairi, qawwali, painting, quiz - et al, can also be spotted happening at Tihar Jail and the cultural event titled ‘Ethnic Tihar’ hosts all such competitions. Eminent personalities from the field of sports and culture put in appearances at all such occasions to boost the morale of the inmates. The prison takes care of hosting all religious and national festivals for its inmates as well.

Study Centres of the IGNOU, New Delhi and NIOS, Delhi are established at Tihar Prisons in which about 2,640 and 1,900 inmates students have been enrolled, respectively. Computer training centres and a library with the support of NGOs has been established in each jail for the benefit of the prisoners.

Prisoner bodies called 'Panchayats' have also been created to deal with matters of education, vocational education, legal counselling, public works etc. Problems faced by the inmates are also dealt with by this Panchayat.

Various meditation groups have also opened their branches in the jail for imparting moral education, counselling and techniques of meditation to the prisoners, which also acts as useful de-stressing technique. Also, each prisoner is allowed to hold two interviews per week (around 30 minutes) with his family and friends in the special ‘Mulaquat Jungla’ area of a jail.

Increasing The Self-Worth Of Inmates

The Jail Administration enrolls its inmates in various units such as Carpentry, Weaving (Handloom and Powerloom), Tailoring, Chemical, Paper, Food Processing, Pottery, Shoe Making and Bakery (Tihar Baking School) and the inmates employed in the factory are provided wages at rates varying from Rs 40-50 per day. 

These products are sold under the brand name of Tihar (TJ's) at various outlets. Once the prisoners are released, they may apply for a loan to set up small businesses based on these skills from the Social Welfare Department of Delhi Govt. 

The prison also takes various steps to improve the medical facilities available here. With experienced staff and the latest technology available, it also runs a drug de-addiction centre. Also, counselling about HIV-AIDS is provided to all inmates and regular testing is conducted as well. 

With all these amenities and activities, it serves as a model to all other prisons!

Location | Tihar Jail - Shaheed Bhagat Singh Marg, Maya Enclave