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Welcome to Gujarat Prisons Department’s website. Some of the prisons in Gujarat are of historical and architectural importance and are closely associated with Indian Freedom Movement. Revered freedom fighters, viz., Mahatma Gandhi, Bal Gangadhar Tilak and Sardar Vallabhbhai Patel were imprisoned in some of the prisons in Gujarat.

Gujarat Prisons strive to reform, reintegrate and rehabilitate the prisoners in the society. The challenge before Jail Administration is to make the imprisonment purposeful in every way. This can be done by attempting to minimize the suffering of a person who has been imprisoned by providing an efficient and transparent administration .We provide them the opportunity to use their time purposefully and constructively by learning new skills, pursuing education and resolving their inner conflicts. It has been our endeavour to treat every prisoner with dignity and respect.

Gujarat Prisons are known for innovations in correctional activities. Open/Semi-open Prisons in Ahmedabad and Amreli are such effort wherein convicted prisoners having good conduct may undergo their sentence in a relaxed environment to enable rehabilitation and reintegration into the society. Various agricultural, dairying and related activities are taking place in these prisons. Yoga, meditation and spiritual activities constitute an important component of reformation and rehabilitation policy of Prisons which bring qualitative change in the life of prisoners. Thousands of prisoners have participated in the spiritual programmes conducted by the Prison administration and a marked change has been observed in their behavior.

There are facilities in the Prisons to take care of children till the age of six years. Later their schooling is undertaken with the help of NGOs. A number of activities are undertaken for the entertainment of inmates including creative activities and in learning vocational skills. The Prison inmates are encouraged to participate in creative literary activities like poetry and essay writing, journalism, painting etc. Some of the inmates have received awards instituted by NGOs working in this field. The female inmates are given training in toy-making, beauty parlour courses, computer training, Minakari arts work etc. under the guidance of NGOs.

The projects relating to bakery, carpentry, tailoring, book binding, weaving etc. have helped inculcate skills which will open up employment opportunities for inmates on their release. At the same time, they earn for the work they do during their incarceration period and their mind is purposefully occupied. This helps to fulfill our mission to reform, rehabilitate and reintegrate the inmates. For meeting various needs of inmates, there are canteens and STD/PCO booths in central and district prisons. Literacy and elementary programmes are organized in collaboration with various Universities and govt. departments.

A number of organizations have come forth to play an active role in enhancing the skills of the inmates inside Prison and in shaping their lives once their term is over and they go back to society.

Shri Mohan Jha, IPS

Director General of Police

Prison and Correctional Administration,

Gujarat State, Ahmedabad.