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The newly-elected representatives of ‘jail panchayats’ will work for the protection of human rights along with the safety of inmates. Polls to the bodies in several correctional facilities across the State were held a few days ago.
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In a distinctive initiative, the panchayat elections took place within the boundaries of jails in Odisha, offering inmates the opportunity to elect their leaders such as Sarpanch and various other representatives.
Elections held in 87 jails across Odisha
Oath-taking ceremonies were recently conducted across nearly 87 correctional institutions for the newly appointed members.
This novel scheme enables prisoners to vote and engage in a democratic process as part of the 'jail panchayat', a programme designed to empower inmates by involving them in the governance matters pertinent to their environment, including resource management and community building.
Rohit Pradhan, elected as a jail representative, declared his commitment by saying, “I, Rohit Pradhan, do swear in the name of God that the trust endowed upon me by my fellow inmates will not be broken. I vow to uphold the dignity of prison authorities and staff and will not tolerate the use of illicit substances like cannabis, alcohol, or mobile phones within the prison grounds.”
A similar scene unfolded in Bhubaneshwar's Jharpada jail, where more than 1,000 inmates participated in the secret ballot. Initially, eight candidates contested for election, but after eliminations, six remained to contest for leadership roles.
The elected representatives will now serve as intermediaries, addressing grievances and issues with the jailors and superintendents. This development instills democratic values within the prison system and aims to improve the protection of prisoners’ rights.
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The establishment of jail panchayats not only reinforces democracy within prison walls but also supports the inmates in pursuing constructive roles, advocating for their welfare and human rights.
