Bedi pitches for reforms for Pondy central prison

Puducherry Lt Governor Kiran Bedi has come out with an initiative to evolve reforms for the inmates of Central prison in the Union Territory.
She visited the prison at Kalapet some 20 kms from here today and held discussions with the delegates of various non-governmental organisations (NGOs) and officials of the Central prison in this connection.
A release from office of Lt Governor said that during her discussions with the representatives of NGOs to finalise the reforms, she acquainted herself with the experiences of the NGOs and their ongoing work with the prison inmates.
Bedi told the participants that "prison reforms should be comprehensive and touch every inmate."

The Lt Governor also impressed upon the prison authorities to prepare an activity-based time table for the prisoners to educate, recreate and develop skills, it said.
"The day should start with "prayers, yoga and shramdhan" and the prison should transform into a school between 10 AM and 12.30 PM to educate the prisoners as per their requirement and interest," she said
Bedi also stressed on the importance of closed coordination between the prison and police machinery.
She asked the IG of Prisons, Pankaj Kumar Jha to work closely with the NGOs and prepare the prison reforms covering all aspects discussed during the meeting.