Throughout the past few years, IBJ India has expanded the scope of its operations by working with local partners to improve conditions and resources within prisons. Since 2017, IBJ India has coordinated Project Rupaantar, a rehabilitation initiative for young adults and women detained in Tihar Jail No.5 and No. 6. In collaboration with the Deputy Chief Minister of Delhi, Gem and Jewelry Skill Council of India (GJSCI), and the Delhi Prisons, the project aims to transform the lives of detainees. It empowers them with vocational skills, including imitation jewelry design and glass gem design. Developing such applicable skills will allow inmates to find work following their time in prison and live healthier, more productive lives. After earning a certification, inmates can immediately begin to work and earn money while in jail. By saving these earnings, they can more easily secure housing, food, transportation, and other necessities following their release.

IBJ India chose to implement this program in Jail No. 5 and No.6 because young adults and women are the most economically dependent segments of the adult population. Since so many Indian inmates are illiterate and lack employable skills, they struggle to reintegrate themselves into society and often end up destitute or back behind bars. Indian prisons are required to offer educational services. However, after several jail visits and studying reports by the Department of Prisons, IBJ India observed that the education offered to prisoners is neither enriching nor practical. Though prisons know that their educational services are subpar, they prioritize other crucial issues such as maintenance and security. To begin a new, honest life, inmates need education that directly translates into employment and stability. Project Rupaantar empowers prisoners with a sustainable, practical foundation to begin a new life upon their release.

Recent Developments

On Tuesday, July 30th, 2019, IBJ India conducted an inspection at Tihar Jail No. 5 to assess the progress of the GJSCI artificial jewelry trainings. We are pleased to report that IBJ India has successfully trained approximately 596 inmates thus far. Additionally, there are approximately 50 inmates being currently trained in Tihar Jail No. 5. Aside from those currently receiving training, an additional 416 certificates will be awarded to course graduates from Jail No. 5 and No. 6 before the end of the year. IBJ India is currently planning a ceremony for the inmates in jail, while mailing out certificates for those who have been released. To ensure that compulsory prison duties don’t interfere with their access to education, IBJ India has ensured that morning and night classes are available in both jails.

The inmates being trained are extremely pleased with this unique opportunity to join India’s ancient, yet booming, jewelry industry. With the hard work of the GJSCI and its trainers, the students are thrilled for what their future may hold. IBJ India took the names of the inmates present at the training and is looking forward to connecting the inmates to employment opportunities after their time in jail. Looking forward, GJSCI has guaranteed advanced training and employment opportunities to approximately 800 inmates.

International Bridges to Justice’s India Country Program (IBJ India) strives to create a just society empowered to protect human rights. To this end, legal rights awareness campaigns are a central part of our work. Only those who understand their rights can protect their humanity. In India, much of the population remains unaware of their legal rights and how to access counsel. To educate those in need, IBJ India conducts monthly prison legal awareness events to promote a basic understanding of the rights of inmates, prison standards, and legal aid.

From June 2^nd to June 11^th, 2018, IBJ India visited eight prisons in the Tihar and Rohini Jail Complexes to work with inmates and facilitate a Legal Rights Awareness and Legal Aid Camp. The camp worked with over 1,500 jail inmates. These sessions aimed to educate inmates about their rights and duties within the prison. In particular, IBJ India volunteer lawyers and staff taught inmates how to access free legal counsel, how to file for bail, and the role of legal aid in a just society. Prisoners, administrators, and the IBJ India team worked together to develop an interactive and practical program. A diverse set of activities, trainings, and other educational services created a worthwhile experience for the inmates. Presented in a substantive, yet concise, manner, these lessons were crafted such that people of any educational background could understand them.

IBJ India returned to conduct awareness campaigns in 2019. Using the previous year’s efforts as a foundation, IBJ India tested creative new ways of providing legal awareness to those without literacy. Seeking to bridge the gap between informative workshops and engaging storytelling, IBJ staff put on a skit depicting potential pitfalls in the criminal justice system. This engaging, relatable content resonated with inmates and may allow them to better apply the knowledge they gain from awareness campaigns.

Ongoing Challenges

Awareness campaigns are crucial to reduce the stigma surrounding legal aid in India. While Indian lawyers are not supposed to accept compensation in legal aid cases, some nonetheless demand payment. This unfair practice engenders distrust toward providers of legal aid among those most in need of counsel. Inmates ought to have confidence in those representing them. Awareness campaigns and training sessions seek to dispel myths surrounding sarkari lawyers, who are assigned by the government to work on legal aid cases. Empowering inmates to report corrupt lawyers builds trust in legal aid and prevents instances of malpractice. IBJ India’s direct interaction with prisoners rebuilds lost trust and instills confidence that justice can be achieved. By fighting corruption in the legal profession, IBJ India is doing its part to advance both its own work and the work of advocates across the country.

IBJ India continues to innovate new ways to deliver on its mission to protect human rights, including through its Legal Rights Awareness and Legal Aid Camp. This sustainable model for awareness campaigns can be used at other jails across the country. Teaching prisoners to leverage their rights will allow them to improve their circumstances and receive humane treatment. IBJ India’s commitment to human rights through legal education and service truly makes a difference in the lives of those most in need.

The right awareness campaigns took place a following a legal needs assessment that reviewed the implementation of the criminal justice system in Burkina Faso. It was identified that in many cases, people were unaware of their rights and what constitutes as a human rights violation. The goal of the awareness campaigns was therefore to educate citizens on their rights.

The Burkina Faso Team

A number of radio campaigns were held on Radio Omega and Liberté Radio, considered to be the two most listened to radio stations in Burkina. The broadcasts covered two topics, ‘Respecting Human Rights in the Burkina criminal procedure,’ and ‘Local self-defense groups and Human Rights in Burkina Faso’, an important subject regarding the socio-politico context and the creation of self-defense groups. It is estimated that 2.2 million people were reached directly and indirectly through these campaigns, given the popularity of the radio stations.

During the radio campaign

The team in Burkina Faso then organized a panel to take place on 25^th November 2017 at the Universtité Ouaga I Pr Joseph Ki Zerbo, to discuss legal aid in Burkina Faso and the right to a lawyer. Members of the panel included Maitre Benao Batibié, lawyer and Secretary General of the lawyer association in Burkina Faso, and Mister Ramde Sidiki, Magistrate and representative of the General Direction of the Legal Aid Fund. The panel reiterated the importance of legal aid and why people should have access to a lawyer, quoting various national and international laws. The panel also discussed the importance of defending ordinary citizens and about the funds available to provide legal aid to indigent citizens. . The audience was invited to pose questions and interact in discussions with panel members.

The awareness campaigns were a huge success, ensuring that the population of Ouagadougou and its surrounding communities are better informed of their rights in terms of legal aid, the right to a lawyer, self-defense groups and their fundamental human rights.

Members of BBJ and stakeholders within the community meet to discuss logistics of the event

The community aspect of the event involved bringing together members of the commune to repaint the Office of Representatives of the Population and the local meeting room of police officers. Small building renovations were also carried out on a number of properties in the vicinity, with the aim of fostering community spirit

Following the community work, the volunteers gathered with members of a neighbouring commune, Ngagara, along with a number of police officers, to partake in a dialogue and rights awareness event at the Centre Jeunes in Kamenge. These two communes were specifically invited to take part in the event following their background during the political turmoil in Burundi which began in 2015. Kamenga had been a particularly peaceful commune during this time, whereas Ngagara had been a hive of public demonstrations.

The aim of the dialogue session was to restore the trust that had once existed between the population and the police force. The session was opened with an interactive activity highlighting how police officers are often stereotyped as being untrustworthy, when this is not a reality. The activity was followed by a discussion led by a dialogue facilitator focusing on the mistrust that developed between the public and the police force during the political turmoil and public demonstrations. It was highlighted how police officers, in an attempt to keep the peace and carry out their duties, may have demonstrated behaviours that caused this feeling of mistrust within communities. To end the dialogue session, the participants discussed what commitments could be made in order to rebuild this trust.

At the end of the event, a rights awareness discussion took place, informing the public of a number of legal safeguards that exist to protect the rights of the accused. Ensuring that people are aware of their fundamental legal rights that are enshrined in Burundian laws and empowering them to claim these rights can ultimately lower the rate of violations against pre-trial detainees.

The IBJ team with members of the Bukavu Professional Body of Judicial Defenders and students from the Catholic University of Bukavu.

As part of their ongoing effort to strengthen the justice system in the DRC, IBJ partnered with the Bukavu Professional Body of Judicial Defenders and students from the Catholic University of Bukavu to host an awareness campaign on the importance of giving testimony in court, and the rights and responsibilities of the accused.

On August 12 2017, the team spent time in three of Bukavu’s communes, Bagira , Kadutu, and Ibanda, speaking in numerous places including churches, market places, and colleges. Leaflets were  handed out in both French and Swahili and focused on informing people of the way the justice system works, and the importance of ensuring accused persons have the right to a fair trial.

Handing out leaflets in Bagira, Kadutu and Ibanda.

The team estimate that they spoke to 11,085 people throughout the campaign. IBJ would like to extend our thanks to the Bukavu Professional Body of Judicial Defenders and the Catholic University of Bukavu for their collaboration on this project.

On June 24, 2017, the Burundi Bridges to Justice (BBJ) team conducted a rights awareness event in Mubimbi District of Bujumbura Province which was attended by 114 people, culminating in the presentation of a play depicting an arrest. The attendees represented 76 grassroots communities, each of which counts at least 10 members. The event aimed to improve the population’s understanding of the legal safeguards that protect arrested persons in Burundi, with a particular focus on the right to not be subject to torture. The educational action also encompassed other rights such as the right to initiate legal action against the torturer, the right to be assisted by a lawyer, the right to be brought before the judge within a fair and reasonable timeframe, and the right to be informed of the reasons for arrest.

Community members from Mbimbi gather to learn about Burundian and international torture prevention laws

The BBJ Team gives a presentation on fundamental rights

Over the years, the BBJ team has developed a wide array of methodologies to facilitate ordinary citizen’s understanding of the legal rights and safeguards of arrested persons. The tools and strategies used are designed to be inclusive of illiterate communities, as in 2015 nearly 15% of adults in Burundi were estimated to be illiterate. Therefore, each event relies as much as possible on interactive and participatory audio/visual activities. The Mubimbi event included a film projection, a PowerPoint presentation, a Q&A session, role plays and a final evaluation.

Participants prepare a short play on the rights of the accused

After presenting the Burundian and international laws that safeguard due process rights, the BBJ team led discussions with the attendees that gave them an opportunity to share their experience of undergoing or witnessing human rights violations, bringing to light many strong testimonies. The exercise revealed that, prior to the event, many thought torture was allowed in some situations, or did not know that to be assisted by a lawyer is a sacred right of every arrested person regardless the offence they may be accused of. It also clearly appeared that the population was eager to acquire more knowledge around human rights topics.

Finally, a highlight of the event was the participation of the attendees in a play where a person was arrested and subject to human rights violations, including arbitrary detention and torture. Each of the participants played the part of a stakeholder (police, prosecutor, lawyer, arrestee) implicated either in the respect or violation of the legal procedure. Thus, they demonstrated their knowledge of the awareness campaign material.

At the end of the event, a questionnaire was distributed to evaluate the level of understanding acquired by participants regarding human rights and due process rights.  The results were very positive and participants committed to sharing this newly acquired knowledge with their community members. Participants also recommended that the BBJ team conducts more of such participatory human rights educational events.

Community rights awareness reaches journalism students at Siantou University

In February and March 2017, IBJ conducted an ambitious campaign in Cameroon designed to raise awareness about human rights, criminal procedure and the functioning of the justice system. The program was carried out in the context of IBJ’s Torture Prevention Program in Francophone Africa supported by the Government of Canada. The Cameroonian NGO Advocacy Group, which is led by IBJ JusticeMakers Fellow Yvon Mabofe, implemented the project on IBJ’s behalf.

In a span of 4 weeks, over 2 million people were reached through the campaign. The campaign used a two-pronged approach to raise awareness as widely as possible. The two main activities were:

1. A radio show called “La Minute du Droit” (The Minute of Rights) which ran twice a week for four weeks on the station Radio Campus. Each week had a particular theme: arrest (Week 1), interrogation (Week 2), the right to a lawyer (Week 3), and the functioning of the criminal justice system (Week 4).
2. 3 community rights awareness events explaining the same four themes – the procedure of arrest, interrogation, the right to a lawyer, and the functioning of the criminal justice system – at several Cameroonian schools, universities, small businesses and government administrations.
   

   Members of a small business learn about legal rights in Yaounde

Awareness session for stewardship personnel of the presidency of the Republic of Cameroon

Experts from the Cameroon Bar Association, the University of Yaoundé II, journalists, opinion leaders, and human right experts made valuable contributions both to the radio show and to the community rights awareness events. With a diverse range of organizers and participants, the campaign engaged over 2 million people, especially youth. Over 85,000 students listened to the radio show, and information sessions were held for students from the Lycée bilingue d’Ekounou, Siantou University and the University of Yaoundé. Both the radio show and the community awareness events generated significant interest, particularly among women and educational institutes.

Team of experts during the second emission of “The Minute of Rights”

Want to listen to the radio show firsthand? You can now listen to the 8 emissions of The Minute of Rights directly on the IBJ website!

The Minute of Rights, Emission 1: Arrest

The Minute of Rights, Emission 2: Arrest, continued

The Minute of Rights, Emission 3: Interrogation

The Minute of Rights, Emission 4: Interrogation, continued

The Minute of Rights, Emission 5: The Right to a Lawyer

The Minute of Rights, Emission 6: The Right to a Lawyer, continued

The Minute of Rights, Emission 7: The Functioning of the Justice System in Cameroon

The Minute of Rights, Emission 8: The Functioning of the Justice System in Cameroon, continued

Banners, posters and flyers distributed at the awareness campaigns

IBJ would like to extend its sincere thanks to the following organizations and experts for making the campaign possible:

• Advocacy Group
• L’Ecole instrument pour la paix – Cameroun
• Radio Campus UY2
• Siantou University
• Lycée Bilingue d’Ekounou
• The business Nkot et fils
• Mr Yvon Mabofe, head of Advocacy Group and IBJ JusticeMakers Fellow
• Mr Beyas, Cameroon Bar Association lawyer
• Mr Baye, Cameroon Bar Association lawyer
• Ms Estelle Manga, Cameroon Bar Association lawyer
• Mr Philippe Nouka, Cameroon Bar Association lawyer
• Cabral Libii, human rights expert, journalist and professor at the University of Yaoundé II
• Joseph Raoul Makondo, human rights expert, professo rat the University of Yaoundé II
• Chamberlin, journalist at Radio Campus.

As a part of a joint initiative between IBJ India and Delhi Prisons to spread awareness among jail inmates about their rights and duties as prescribed under the law, a team consisting of Mr. Ajay Verma, IBJ Senior Fellow and Advocate, and Ms. Pankhuri Mehandiratte, Advocate, visited Central Jail No.3 on 31 March 2015. Tihar Jail has been identified as Asia’s largest prison complex, housing more than 12,000 under trial and convicted belonging to all age groups.

The event saw an active participation of over 200 inmates who had been charged for petty offences and were waiting for their trial to be completed. The main purpose of the event was to make the inmates aware about the provisions of bail and surety bonds and the juvenile justice act while informing them of their legal rights and duties. Mr. Sanjay, the prison welfare officer appointed by the Government as per Delhi Prisons Act, 2000, also contributed to the interactive discussions with the inmates.

Mr. Ajay Verma and Ms. Pankhuri Mehndiratta were given a warm reception by the prison administration. Mr. Ajay Verma discussed the provisions of bail in bailable and non-bailable cases, addressing the common problem of conditions of bail and surety bonds. A brief discussion followed about the provisions of the existing Juvenile Justice Act. Many inmates were under the false impression that the lawyers appointed by the Legal Services Authorities are state lawyers and that they will not get proper representation as they are being prosecuted by the state. Mr. Ajay Verma clarified this misconception after sharing his 13 years of experience working as a Legal Aid Lawyer. The inmates were also informed about their right to free legal aid. This event also introduced the ‘Information Booklet’, developed by IBJ India and Delhi Prisons to further inform the inmates of their legal rights.

Many inmates were hesitant to disclose their details at first, but IBJ India was able to identify 10 people who were in need of legal aid. IBJ will be returning to meet with them one-on-one in order to ensure that they receive proper representation.

The legal rights awareness event proved to be a huge success. IBJ India is delighted to have the support of the prison authorities and will work to strengthen the bond established between the prison administration and IBJ lawyers. The event proved to be another important step towards strengthening the legal justice system in India.

By Ritvik Mawkin, Intern, IBJ India

Pankhuri A. Mehndiratta and Katyayini,  IBJ India

IBJ India in collaboration with Delhi Prisons organized a two-day capacity building workshop for warders and custodial staff at the Prison Headquarters, Tihar, New Delhi on September 26 -27, 2014. The workshop was aimed at building capacity and legal awareness within the prison system in Tihar. It was attended by custodial staff including Warders, Head Warders, and the Assistant Superintendent from each prison in the Tihar Central Jail and Rohini District Jail. Both days at the workshop saw an encouraging level of interaction and participation by the custodial staff.   After the short introduction given by IBJ India fellow, Mr. Ajay Verma, the Deputy Inspector General, Mr. Mukesh Prasad, inaugurated the session. Mr. Sunil Gupta, Law Officer, Tihar jail, then gave a brief overview of the Delhi Prisons Act and the role of warders.

Mr. Alok Verma, Director General of Tihar Jail, held an interactive session with the custodial staff of the Tihar and Rohini prisons. An array of issues was brought to the attention of Mr. Verma ranging from the unsatisfactory living conditions of the warders and custodial staff to the problems that they face due to the lack of internal mechanisms for promotion. IBJ India was able to facilitate constructive dialogue between management and the staff of the prisons in a bid to strengthen mutual understanding of the challenges they both face.

Mr. D V Trivedi, Former Director of the Bureau of Police Research and Development (BPRD), discussed the conduct of warders so as to ensure effective prison management. The custodial staff was then asked to share their ideas about prison and the purpose of incarceration. Though the majority of the warders and custodial staff agreed that reformation and rehabilitation was the end goal of incarceration, some of them were of the opinion that it is important to adopt a punitive approach towards inmates who are repeat offenders and display no respect for prison regulations. However, the attitude of the custodial staff was largely sympathetic towards the prisoners, recognizing that personal circumstances could have an influential role in their imprisonment and that it was the prerogative of the courts to pronounce someone guilty.

The session then moved on to the discussion of other issues, including the present infrastructure that needs to be upgraded to keep up to date with the latest technology. One specific demand is the need for more CCTV cameras to ensure complete and effective surveillance on part of the custodial staff. Also addressed was the problem of understaffing that is accentuated by the high professional dropout rate due to lack of incentives, promotions, and low wages. The custodial staff was successfully able to bring awareness that there are inadequate cashless treatment schemes for them and that the very few hospitals that offer this were meager in terms of the quantity and quality of these services. The refurbishment of staff quarters was promised by the Director General (Prisons), Tihar, during his interactive session and will hopefully be looked into immediately. Another major problem that was addressed was prison overcrowding. This leads to overwork and burn out of the custodial staff. Moreover, over 70% of the inmate population is under trial, which makes the implementation of discipline more challenging for the staff members. The problem is further pronounced when inmates, despite having been granted bail, are unable to secure their release on account of lack of a surety or the financial means to secure bond.

Mr. Ajay Verma, Advocate and IBJ India Fellow, discussed the role of custodial staff in ensuring justice for the inmates as well as correct bail procedures u/s 167,436,437 of the CrPC, appeals, parole, furlough and juvenile inmates. He also discussed that the segregation of prisoners should be more clearly defined and suggested specialized cells for first offenders. In order to ensure the awareness of the custodial staff about the prevalent legal provisions, judgments and techniques of administering discipline, it is imperative that they should receive regular training sessions. The prison staff then received instruction on the rights of the prisoners and their duties towards them. During the last part of the session, different reformative measures were discussed by the IBJ team members Ajay Verma (IBJ India Fellow) and Pankhuri A Mehndiratta (Advocate).

Dr. Shahzad Ibrahimi, a renowned motivational speaker, was also present as part of the eminent people that shared their energy for the cause of strengthening the criminal justice system and its pillars in order to ensure respect for human rights. Ms. Deepika Gupta, Consultant Psychologist at Human Dynamic, Gurgaon, shared her views on behavioral disorders and suicidal tendencies of prisoners and the role of prison staff in monitoring prisoners. In her highly engaging session, she gave valuable indicators to identify inmates with behavioral disorders to aid the custodial staff in assessing potentiality of suicide within the cells.

Strengthening the core of the criminal justice system of India through capacity building and awareness training helps IBJ India to live up to its mandate of ensuring the respect for human rights and preventing torture during detention. The entire team of IBJ India is extremely grateful for the support and collaboration of the Delhi prison authorities and looks forward to hosting similar events in the future.

IBJ India organized a two-day paralegal training for the convicts at the Central Jail, Ajmer on the 4th and 5th of October 2014. The workshop aimed at building capacity and awareness of speedy trial to the convicts of the jail. It was attended by ten convicts who were selected according to their educational qualification and happened to be life/long term convicts. IBJ was represented by Advocates Mr. Ajay Verma and Pankhuri A. Mehndiratta.

Inmates at the inaugural session at Central Prison, Ajmer, Rajasthan

The workshop concentrated in particular on the difficulties faced by those held in pre-trial detention to stress how long term convicts can assist with this. The long term convicts are in some way in-house legal resources. Their knowledge of processes on arrest, rights in jail, processes in court, can be of great value in ensuring that legal rights are accessed and prisoners do not unnecessary remain incarcerated. As the IBJ mandate is to provide access to justice, we started with the most common question- “What is law and what is an ideal jail?” Many hands were raised to answer. Next obvious question was, “Do you know about your rights in prison are?” Very few were able to answer this question. Ajay Verma explained the various rights of the prisoners, which includes right to a fair and speedy trial. He emphasized that fair trial is the essence of India’s criminal justice system. Arbitrarily depriving an individual of their liberty is violation of the human rights and right to freedom given by our Constitution to every person. Hence, nobody has the right to put anyone in the prison, to keep there, without any good reason. It is the right of the detainee to raise his/her voice against any wrongful treatment and torture. Those who have been the victim of unlawful arrest have an enforceable right to compensation.

Mr. Ajay Verma, Advocate introducing the purpose of the workshop and explaining their rights and duties

The IBJ Team explained the procedures of first appearance and remand to the prisoners. It is the right of a person who is arrested or detained in custody to be produced before the nearest Magistrate within a period of twenty-four hours of such arrest. No one shall be detained in custody beyond that period without the permission of the Magistrate. The prisoner should be able to get help with keeping their home or job and keeping in touch with their family. They should be able to get help carrying on their business from prison. Remand prisoners are supposed to be treated as if they are innocent until proven guilty. This session discussed the procedures which must be utilized to deliver a fair trial and justice. Right to speedy trial is an essential part of fundamental right. According to article 21, no person shall be deprived of his life or personal liberty except according to procedure laid by law. Any delay in trial should be seen as miscarriage of law. The cases pending for years create mental and economic pressure on litigants. Right to speedy trial is the right of the accused and it encompasses all the stages, namely investigation, inquiries etc. A right to fair trial is an essential right respecting the rule of law. It is the right of the defendant to be tried before an impartial jury who on considering the evidences against defendant, decide whether to find him or her guilty of the crime charged. The magistrate should hear the case within the reasonable time. If there is no counsel for the defendant, the magistrate should appoint a counsel. The convicts were also trained on the procedures of parole, bail, legal aid etc. Legal aid is no longer a matter of charity but is one of the constitutional rights. Each person is entitled to free legal aid from the point of arrest. If a prisoner is sentenced to imprisonment is unable to exercise his constitutional right for want of legal assistance, the court has the power to assign, under article 142 read with article 21 and 39-A of the constitution, counsel for such imprisoned individual.

Liberty of every citizen must be zealously safeguarded by courts. Basic rule should be “bail and not jail.” Yet where there are circumstances suggestive of the accused fleeing the course of justice, or possibility of his repeating offences, then he can be denied bail. Once the accused is prepared to furnish bail, the police officer or the court before which he offers to give bail is bound to release him on such terms. Also the terms of the bail are to be reasonable. If a person during the period of investigation or trial undergoes detention for a period extending up to one half of the maximum period of imprisonment specified for that by law, he shall be released by the court on his personal bond with or without sureties. This provision does not extend to offences for which the punishment is life imprisonment or death.

The last part of the session worked to ensure that the inmates were treated more humanely and are provided with at least the minimum standard of living. The prisoners have certain rights when they are sent to judicial custody including: right against solitary confinement, handcuffing and bar fetters, and protection from torture etc.  The convicted prisoners have the right to employment within the jail and wages should be paid accordingly. Every prisoner has the right to an adequate standard of living. They have the right to food, clothing, and proper accommodation at an adequate level. The children in the prison have the right to education and proper upbringing. It is the human right of a person to live their life with respect and dignity. It is the right of the prisoner to be informed of the rules and regulations of the prison. No prisoner shall be stopped from practicing their own religion and every prisoner shall be allowed to satisfy the needs of his religious life. Visits to prisoners by family and friends are a solace in insulation and only a dehumanized system can derive vicarious delight in depriving prison inmates of this humane amenity. Every basic necessity of life shall be provided to the prisoners so that they could have minimum standard of living.

The long standing goal of this two day workshop was to train the convicts to be resources for the prison administration and expedite the judicial process for the inmates in need. This was in tandem with IBJ’s efforts to empower and strengthen the core of the criminal justice system in order to secure respect for legal rights.

We are grateful for the enthusiastic cooperation of the prison authorities. We are looking forward to conducting future events.