Delhi prisons' inmates to get hot water, elderlies to be given mattresses: LG Vinai Saxena

Lieutenant Governor of Delhi Vinai Kumar Saxena on January 9 issued an order to DG (Prison) and the Pr. Secretary (Home) on providing some respite to inmates in Delhi prisons.

As per the instructions, inmates in Tihar, Rohini, and Mandoli jails will get their sanitary needs including hot water for bathing. Elderly prisoners above 65 years of age will get a mattress, a wooden cot and a durri. 

"Inmates in all the 16 Central Jails of Tihar, Rohini and Mandoli will start getting hot water for their bathing and sanitary needs. Apart from this, all prisoners above 65 years of age will get a mattress, in addition to a Wooden Cot and a Durri that is provided to the prisoners" read the statement.

The Delhi LG issued instructions, effective immediately in all Delhi prisons, after observing that inmates—even those who are on trial—do not have access to a fundamental amenity like hot water in the freezing cold.

According to the statement, the humane decision will help eliminate corruption in jail.

"Upon learning that many inmate, especially the older ones, complain of not having a mattress in this biting cold and that their orthopaedic malicious get aggravated, the LG instructed officials to ensure that mattresses are made available to the prisoners above 65 years of age. This humane decision apart from boosting much-needed Jail reforms will also help eliminate corruption and patronizing on part of Jail officials, who often provide such services to inmates at a cost or if they are influential" the statement concluded.