As Pune lights up for the festive fervour, the inmates of Yerawada Central Prison are trying their best to imbibe the festive spirit in their bleak surroundings. Although the male prisoners get visitors during the festive season, the female prisoners normally, do not have any visitors.
There are more than 4,000 inmates in the jail, including under trial prisoners. Of them, 40 inmates were allowed to go home to celebrate Diwali with their family on furlow (i.e. short absence from jail). Around 25 children are locked up in the jail along with their mother, who are incarcerated
The jail authorities organise special food for the inmates during the festive season. Deputy inspector general of police (DIG) Rajendra Dhamne said, “On Laxmi pooja day, the inmates are given laddoo, pulav and dal tadka for both lunch and dinner.’’
The children who are locked up with their mothers, are allowed to take the ritual bath on the first day of Diwali.
The jail canteen is also kept open for Diwali for the inmates to purchase soaps and uttan (powder). When DNA reporter interacted with one of the women who had come to meet her husband, she said, “I have brought a card made by my son as he is not aware that his father is in jail. I will show the card to my husband.’’
