46 Children, Neither Convicts Nor Undertrial, Reeling Behind Bars in Odisha: RTI

Bhubaneswar, May 20: A reply to a Right to Information query by Odisha prison authorities revealed that a total of 46 children are reeling behind the bars -- for committing no crime. The children - 21 boys and 25 girls, are neither convicts nor undertrial, but they are born to mothers who have been charged of crimes as heinous as murder, loot and smuggling of drugs.

The RTI was moved by Bhubaneswar-based human rights lawyer Biswapriya Kanungo. In response to his plea, Odisha’s Directorate of Prisons and Correctional Services said the 46 children staying behind the bars are wards of 45 mothers - 9 of whom are convicted, whereas, 36 others are undertrials.

The RTI further revealed that 30 among the 45 women lodged in jail with their wards belong to the Scheduled Caste and Scheduled Tribe communities.

Kanungo, while speaking to The Hindu, said the government is violating the orders of the Supreme Court which has directed welfare of children born to jail inmates.

"They are entitled to food, shelter, medical care, clothing, education and recreational facilities," he said.

As per the norms, the jail authorities should take care of children aged below two in crèche, whereas, those between two and three-year-old should be nurtured in a nursery. Both the crèche and nursery should be located right outside the prison premises, the court had directed.

Anup Patnaik, former IGP (Prisons), Odisha, conceded the prima facie violation of guidelines. He said the issue could be fixed through regular inspection by top-level officers of the jail premises. "I don't think it is (currently) happening," he said, adding that situational reports by the probation officer would resolve most of the problems.

(The above story first appeared on LatestLY on May 20, 2018 12:14 PM IST. For more news and updates on politics, world, sports, entertainment and lifestyle, log on to our website latestly.com).