Life Beyond Bars: New Delhi's Youngest Inmates and Their Journey

New Delhi, May 27 (PTI): For some children, life begins not in a traditional home but within the walls of a prison. Born to mothers serving sentences, their earliest memories do not include playgrounds or parks but rather barred windows and uniformed guards.

At present, 31 children reside with their inmate mothers in Delhi's high-security Tihar and Mandoli jails, according to an official statement.

The prison administration is committed to ensuring that these children are not disadvantaged by their circumstances.

"We handle everything from playschool to regular medical check-ups and vaccinations, aiming to provide an environment that meets their basic developmental needs," the official stated.

Tihar, the largest prison complex in Asia, currently accommodates around 19,000 inmates, including 506 women, both under trial and convicted, in Central Jail No. 6. Meanwhile, Mandoli Jail, also known as Jail No. 16, houses 237 female inmates. Jail sources reveal that Jail 6 hosts 11 male and 10 female children, while Jail 16 has four male and six female children. Children can stay with their incarcerated mothers until age six, after which they must leave the prison regardless of their custody status, officials noted.

"We encourage relatives to care for them, but in cases where relatives are unwilling, we transfer them to child care centres or partner with NGOs that support these children even outside the prison," the officer explained.

The overall development of these children is ensured through various interventions designed to help them meet academic, social, and emotional milestones and shield them from the impact of their parent's incarceration, he added.

Another jail official mentioned that a certified vaccination centre operating within the prison provides timely administration of essential vaccines such as BCG, polio, hepatitis, DPT, and tetanus to the children.

This proactive healthcare approach ensures the well-being of these children.

The Tihar Jail authorities have also partnered with NGOs and child welfare departments to offer early education and psychological support, aiming to minimise the psychological effects of prison life and equip them for a better future beyond prison walls.

"While we cannot alter their beginnings, we are dedicated to giving them an opportunity for a normal life," the official affirmed.