It’s Always Possible: Transforming One of the Largest Prisons in the World

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Motivation, persistence and perseverance are the distinct traits of determined, dedicated individuals who can make things happen. It’s always possible, even when the task is awesome–transforming the mindsets of human beings. Located in the capital city of India, 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. It was a limping and languishing institution, condemned by the media, isolated from the community, exploited, used and abused, yet ‘housed’. Dr Kiran Bedi (then 44) was appointed the Inspector General of Tihar prison on May 1, 1993. She brought about fundamental changes, giving a human face to the administrative structure–creating an exemplary system covering every possible aspect of prison management. The whole objective was to initiate and strengthen collectively and individually the transition from a wooden system to a responsive and sensitive administration. Hence this effort unfolds the process of this reformation involving prison administration, prisoners and the community–towards one common goal–‘Correction’ through a ‘Collective’ approach. This rare documentation of a candid account is accompanied by CD-ROM (produced by India vision foundation), with selected excerpts from the book, supplemented with powerful visuals, ranging right from the historical Vipassana Meditation Programme where in over a 1,000 inmates sat for ten long days in meditation to their festivities, educational programmes and visits from the NGOs. This has been further complemented by the prisoners expressing their feelings on camera, their written petitions, poetry, paintings, art and craft, besides the statements of the staff. A graphic portrayal of the holistic process–a metamorphosis–from criminality to humanity was achieved within the same legal framework.

ABOUT THE AUTHOR Kiran Bedi

Dr. Kiran Bedi is India's first and highest ranking woman officer in the Indian Police Service. Her experience and expertise include more than 33 years of tough, responsive and interactive policing, within India and outside. She has worked with the United Nations as the Police Advisor to the Secretary General, in the Department of Peace Keeping Operations. She has represented India at the United Nations, and in international forums on crime prevention, drug trafficking and abuse, prison reform, women's issues and peace keeping operations. Recipient of the prestigious Ramon Magsaysay Award (also called the Asian Nobel Prize), and several other decorations, Dr. Bedi is the author of four books and a regular columnist with leading dailies, newspapers and magazines. She is also a very sought after speaker on various social, professional and leadership issues at national and international forums. She is the founder of two Non-Governmental Organization, Navjyoti and India Vision Foundation, that provide drug abuse treatment and rehabilitation, residential schooling for children of prisoners, in addition to education, training, counselling, and health care to the urban and rural poor.