Sri Bharat Bhushan, a Prison Officer working in Jodhpur Jail, Rajasthan

was stabbed to death by a prisoners inside the Jail while he was on his duty
on 18.09.2010. This latest ghastly incident is only a tip of an ice berg. The
problems being faced by Prison authorities within the Prison have become
alarmingly dangerous and life threatening by each passing day. About a
decade ago, assaults on Prison Officers were unheard of. But in the recent
times, they have become a regular feature. The jails were attacked by
Naxals (Orissa, Chattisgarh etc.,), Mafia ( Maharashtra , Bihar , UP etc.,) and
a Prison Officer in Tamilnadu was burnt alive inside Madras Central Prison by
inmates. A Jailor in Andhra Pradesh was shot dead by Naxals while he was
resting in his residence.
 
It is alarming to note that in recent times, Communalism is raising its
ugly head in the Jails with the initiation and encouragement by detained ISI
elements / ISI sympathizers / Muslim fanatics. Just a year ago, a Jailor in
Central Prison, Hyderabad was shoed and beaten by Muslim prisoner
resulting in bleeding injuries to the Jailor on the pretext that he has touched
Quran during the course of searches though he was standing far away from
the Quran. The Officer was targeted because he was very strict and
disciplined and was firm in his duties.  The prisoner was allowed to go scot-
free by the timid Senior Prison Officers who feared communal reprisal should
any action is taken on the criminal prisoner. This has lead to a fall in the
morale of all Prison Officers in the State and adversely boosted the
confidence of communal elements in the Jails of Andhra Pradesh. 
 
In a recent incident, it was alleged that a Muslim prisoner was beaten
up by Prison authorities of Jaipur Central Jail and also the Holy Quran was
“desecrated”. This allegation was made by a Muslim organization which
claimed to have visited the Jaipur Central Prison to ascertain the facts. 
Prisons Rules, all over India , does not allow any communal organizations to
visit prisons without the explicit orders of the Government or Director
General of Prisons. It was further alleged by the same organization that
Prison officials did not allow Muslim prisoners to congregate with other
prisoners on the eve of Id-ul-Fitr.  It is alleged “the Jailor bluntly denied
them of their right”.  Prisons Rules does not allow any congregations in the
name of caste, creed or religion in the interest of Jail security and prisoners
do not have any right for congregation as per Prisons Rules.
 
All these allegations are made with intentions to black mail and
threaten the Prison Officers. Basing on these allegations, one officer was
suspended and another was transferred.  Such hasty action against Officers
will send wrong signals to Prison staff while giving the communal forces
extra strength to carry on with their ugly designs against the Prison Officers.
 These communal forces will slowly and steadily destabilize, demorale
and weaken the integrity of Prison Officials with their blackmail and
terrorizing tactics.  The Print and Electronic media is always on the look out
to make matters worse by adding communal colour, violation of human
rights twist and propogate it round the clock to defame the individuals
working in the Prisons. It is also observed that these communal forces knock
the doors of Judiciary with false accusations on Prison Officers alleging
brutality and demanding money etc. These sort of tactics will leave a scary
feeling on the psyche of the Officer.  It is therefore, very essential to check
the activity of these communal forces inside the Prison with a firm hand to
protect not only the Prison Officers but Society at large.
 
The Prison Officers today are working in very hostile and highly
adverse conditions.  There is no guarantee for their life either inside the
Prison or outside the Prison.  No steps are taken by the Government to
ensure their safety and security.  Almost all the Prisons are understaffed and
residential quarters are devoid of any security.  It is shocking to note that
even senior Prison Officers are not provided with fire arms for self defense. 
No Sentry Pickets are available at vulnerable points such as the residences
of Staff or Officers or outer entrance gates etc.  Prison Staff are most
neglected personnel and least important in the Government Sector.  While
Governments and some Agencies plan and implement several programs for
inmates, institutional training to them and their rehabilitation, no efforts are
made to redress the problems being faced by the Prison Staff.  In all major
Central Jails across our Nation, majority of the staff work under severe
stress and testing conditions. In these Prisons, some notorious prisoners
yield so much power and influence that no Prison staff dare act against their
ill deeds. Should any Prison staff dare against them, they will be
immediately victimized both by the inmates and media.  This has become a
very dangerous trend in Prison administration. Unless some serious and
upright stand is taken by appropriate Governments, the Prisons will be bad
places very soon, both for Prison Staff and Society as well.