Women in India Prison: Voices and Silences

Since Independence, prison administration in the country has been a matter of intense debate and criticism at various points of time among the researchers and policy makers. In the recent years, the Supreme Court of India has come down heavily on the sub-human conditions obtaining in prisons. In many States, the problems of dilapidated prison structure, overcrowding and congestion, increasing proportion of under-trial prisoners, inadequacy of prison staff, lack of proper care and treatment of prisoners have been engaging the attention of the press and social activists. With a growing advocacy for the protection of human rights in the various walks of lives, the plight of prisoners has emerged as a critical issue of public policy.