Its Always Possible: Transforming One of the Largest Prisons in the WorldMotivation, 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 |
Other editions - View all
It's Always Possible: Transforming One of the Largest Prisons in the World Kiran Bedi No preview available - 1998 |
It's Always Possible: Transforming One of the Largest Prisons in the World Kiran Bedi No preview available - 1999 |
Common terms and phrases
Aasra Action activities addicts adolescent Ashiana Ashram asked Assistant Superintendent barracks became Brahma Kumaris canteen cells Central Jail centre chappatis Charles Sobhraj classes concerned convicts court creche crime daily de-addiction Delhi Delhi High Court Deputy Superintendent Diazepam doctors drug duty ensure foreign inmates gangsters Head Warders Hindi hospital human IG Prisons IGNOU India individuals inside the jail inside the prison interaction jail staff Jail Superintendent Kiran Bedi Kumar langar literacy lodged Max Mathews medicines meeting monoprinting mulaqaat munshi Navjyoti needed officers on-the-rounds organised Panchayat participation patients petition box police prison staff problems programme reforms released reported response round Sarangi Shakira Singh staff members Superintendent Jail Tarsem teachers Tihar Jail undertrials Vipassana course visitors wanted Welfare woman women inmates women prisoners women's ward yoga