Women Inmates in Madhya Pradesh Jails, Can now claim Hair Removal Cream, Shampoo

Bhopal: Madhya Pradesh prisons are set to introduce special facilities for women inmates starting January 1, 2025. As part of the new measures, women prisoners will receive hair removal creams once a month and shampoo once a week. Additionally, all inmates will be provided with salad as part of their daily meals, along with increased quantities of tea, milk, oil, and lentils to ensure better nutrition and hygiene.
Overcrowded Prisons to See Capacity Expansion
The state’s prisons, designed to accommodate 36,000 inmates, currently house over 43,000, including approximately 1,900 women. To address this overcrowding, plans are underway to expand prison capacities.
Focus on Prisoner Rehabilitation
The reforms are being implemented under the MP Correctional Services and Prisons Act 2024, inspired by the Central Government's Model Prisons Act 2023. The new initiatives emphasize understanding and reforming the mindset of offenders. Jail staff will undergo specialized training to better understand the psychology and behavior of prisoners, fostering a more rehabilitative approach.
Key Reforms and Initiatives
Hygiene and Nutrition: Women inmates will receive personal care products, and all inmates will benefit from healthier meal options with enhanced nutritional content.
Technology Integration: Administrative processes in prisons will be digitized and linked to a central government computerized system, ensuring better coordination and transparency. Advanced jamming devices will also be installed in high-risk areas to curb the use of contraband items like mobile phones.
Improved Surveillance: Superintendents will conduct regular inspections and raids to confiscate prohibited items and maintain order.
Healthcare Improvements: Prison hospitals will see capacity enhancements to meet the growing health needs of inmates.
Infrastructure Development: A new Prison and Correctional Institution Development Board will oversee modernization projects across the state’s prisons.
New Terminology for Prisons
Under the reforms, terms like “Central Prison” and “District Prison” will now include the designation “Correctional Institution,” reflecting the shift towards a rehabilitative model of incarceration.
Implementation Delayed but Comprehensive
Initially planned for rollout on October 2, 2024, the reforms faced delays due to last-minute adjustments but are now set for implementation in the new year. The changes aim to address overcrowding, improve prisoner well-being, and enhance the overall management of Madhya Pradesh’s correctional facilities.
These updates signal a significant shift in how prisons in the state operate, focusing on both the immediate needs of inmates and long-term rehabilitation.