‘System flawed,rules broken at every step’

The policemen escorting us demanded money if anyone wanted to stop for tea or make a phone call. A Rs 500 note could facilitate a quick phone call. Many prisoners cannot afford it. But those who can do not mind paying. Prisoners also pay food bills of escort cops.

Entering a prison for the first time is a harrowing experience. Prison staff often take away most of the cash prisoners may be carrying. The food served inside is unpalatable. The government may claim it is spending money on food but most of it is pilfered. It is kept aside and sold in the black market. What is left is used to cook substandard food.

What you will,however,find in abundance are rotis. Rotis are also used as fuel to re-cook or reheat prison food. Many old-timers rope in new convicts as cooks. Food served in the prison is re-cooked by them. Many prisoners also purchase pilfered oil and spices from prison guards to re-cook the food and make it more palatable.

Money and drugs are provided by prison officials who get a cut. Drugs are brought in by carriers serving short terms. The drugs are wrapped in capsules and swallowed. They are taken out in toilets and sold.

Many prisoners ask jail staff to get them money. Interestingly,officials would even go to prisoners’ residences to collect money. A prisoner who needs Rs 30,000 may have to pay Rs 15,000 to a prison official who delivers the money.

Another major problem is physical or sexual abuse of young prisoners. Absence of conjugal visits means youngsters are cajoled and at times threatened to accede to older prisoners’ demands.

Overcrowding and close contact between prisoners means risk of communicable diseases. Nashik prison has a capacity of around 1,600 but there were nearly 3,000 inmates during my time there. Vulnerable and exploited prisoners become easy targets for recruiters of criminal gangs. The problems are so grave that over time even the most enthusiastic official gives up.

(The former prisoner – who did not wish to be named – spent four months in Nashik Central Jail.)