Jharkhand set to get first exclusive Women’s Prison at Sakchi Jail

Parvinder Bhatia

Jamshedpur

Jharkhand is poised to establish its first exclusive women’s prison, with preparations underway to convert Sakchi Jail in East Singhbhum district into a dedicated correctional facility for female inmates. Jail Inspector General Sudarshan Prasad has submitted a proposal to the state government, and the project is currently awaiting approval.

Once cleared, the prison will accommodate convicted women inmates from across Jharkhand, providing a centralized facility equipped with specialized services and infrastructure tailored to their needs. Sakchi Jail currently has a capacity of 198 inmates.

The proposed prison will follow the model adopted in several women’s correctional facilities across the country, where all operations—from the superintendent’s office to security arrangements—are handled exclusively by women personnel. At present, India has 31 such women’s prisons.

To ensure safety and effective monitoring, the prison will witness increased deployment of female security staff and installation of a modern CCTV surveillance network. Authorities believe these measures will create a secure and dignified environment for inmates.

Special emphasis will be placed on healthcare services for female inmates. The proposed facility will provide regular medical examinations, gynaecological care, maternity support, and mental health counseling. The prison hospital is expected to be upgraded with modern equipment and resources to deliver quality healthcare services.

For inmates residing with young children, dedicated facilities such as crèches, nutritional support systems, and children’s play areas may also be established. Officials say these arrangements will help ensure the healthy growth and development of children living within the prison premises.

The proposed women’s prison will prioritize rehabilitation through education and vocational training. Programs in tailoring, embroidery, knitting, handicrafts, computer education, and other self-employment-oriented trades will be introduced to help inmates acquire skills for independent livelihoods after their release.

Literacy initiatives, counseling services, yoga sessions, meditation programs, and social rehabilitation activities will also form an integral part of the correctional framework. The objective is to prepare inmates for a dignified reintegration into society upon completion of their sentences.

The Prison Department views the conversion of Sakchi Jail as a significant step toward strengthening correctional infrastructure for women in Jharkhand. Officials believe the dedicated facility will offer improved amenities, focused rehabilitation programs, and better living conditions for female inmates across the state.

With the proposal now before the government, the state’s first exclusive women’s prison awaits final approval. Once sanctioned, the project is expected to mark a major milestone in Jharkhand’s prison administration and women-centric correctional reforms.