Parliamentary committee inspects Mahendranagar prison as inmates highlight serious concerns

Mahendranagar: The State Affairs and Good Governance Committee of Parliament has conducted a monitoring visit to Kanchanpur Prison in Mahendranagar. On Friday, a parliamentary team, accompanied by the district’s chief security officials, carried out an on-site inspection of the facility.

During the visit, the committee held discussions on the legal, physical, and housing-related challenges faced by inmates. Prisoners raised concerns that their daily lives have become increasingly risky due to the deteriorating condition of the building, and that legal complications have led to unnecessary hardship.

Inmate Dan Singh Thakurathi reported serious safety issues, including the risk of bricks falling from the roof at night, water leakage through tarpaulin coverings during the rainy season, and the inability to sleep safely. He also highlighted electrical hazards, noting the risk of electrocution from exposed wires during rainfall and instability in electricity supply during extreme heat.

Beyond infrastructure concerns, prisoners also pointed to shortages of materials for yoga, sports, and other rehabilitation activities, as well as inadequate allowances, lack of free medicines, insufficient medical support, and complications related to sentence reductions, transfers, and access to skill-based training. Some inmates also claimed they have served longer than their court-mandated sentences due to delays in updating records.

Committee member Rekha Kumari Yadav stated that the monitoring aimed to assess the actual condition of prisons across the country. She said a report would be prepared based on the findings, followed by necessary recommendations to the government. She also stressed the need for legal reforms, noting that many inmates remain imprisoned due to procedural complications.

Similarly, committee member Surendra Chaudhary emphasized that prisons should function as reform centers rather than punitive institutions. He underscored the importance of protecting prisoners’ human rights, providing skill-based training, and facilitating their reintegration into society after release.

According to prison authorities, Kanchanpur Prison currently houses 389 inmates, while 87 prisoners who escaped during the Genji movement have yet to return.

Another team member, Deepak Bohora, said the monitoring was conducted to identify and address issues within the prison and highlighted the need to transform it into a correctional facility.