Its Always Possible: Transforming One of the Largest Prisons in the World

Front Cover
Sterling Publishers Pvt. Ltd, Dec 1, 2005 - Social Science - 428 pages
Motivation, persistence and perseverance are the distinct traits of determined and dedicated individuals who can make things happen. It's always possible, even when the task is awesome -- transforming the mindset of human beings. Located in India's capital, New Delhi, Tihar is one of the largest prisons in the world. Within a prison complex of over 200 acres are housed over 9,700 inmates -- men, women, adolescents, children; Indians and foreigners. They comprise unconvicted alleged offenders, convicts and remandees. Tihar was a limping, languishing institution, condemned by the media, and its inmates were isolated from the community, exploited, used and abused, yet 'housed'. Dr Kiran Bedi was appointed Inspector General of Tihar Prison in 1993. She brought about fundamental changes, giving a human face to the administrative structure and creating an exemplary system covering every possible aspect of prison management. The whole objective was to collectively and individually manage the transition from a moribund system to a responsive and sensitive administration. Hence her efforts unfolded the process of reformation involving prison administration, prisoners and the community, toward one common goal -- Correction through a collective approach. Dr Bedi's account is enhanced by input from the prisoners themselves, expressing their feelings in letters and sketches, in petitions and poetry. This book is a graphic portrayal of an holistic process of conversion, a metamorphosis from criminality to humanity, achieved within a restrictive legal framework.
 

Contents

My First Day in the Prison
3
Ground Realities
12
Medical Disservice
30
Lifeterm Jailors
46
The Inescapable Grip of Corruption
53
Intervention or Interference
65
Security or Insecurity
73
Out of Focus Out of Bounds
81
An Eternal Journey
235
On a Steady Track
258
Treating the Maladies
276
Vipassana and the Magical Metamorphosis
297
Women at the Forefront
319
Making the Difference
351
Eyewitness Accounts
359
III
368

An Endangered Species
88
Aliens behind Bars
106
A Class Apart
115
Gangsters Galore
124
What Evolved
135
On the Rounds
137
The Petition Box
155
Internal Management
179
Enters the Community
202
The Community Within
217
What Emerged
379
The Emergence
382
IV
384
What Continues To Emerge
389
And It Became Possible 107 Years After
391
A Global Model
393
Nirvana Behind Bars
396
Index
403
Copyright

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About the author (2005)

Dr Kiran Bedi is India's first and highest ranking woman officer who joined the Indian Police Service in 1972. Her experience and expertise includes over 35 years of tough and innovative policing, within India and thoughout the world.

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