Mumbai: Nursery In Prisons, Kindergarten For Children Of Women Prisoners In Arthur Road Jail Premises

Mumbai, 23rd January 2023: ‘Nanhe Kadam’ program has been implemented by the prison administration for the children of women prisoners in Maharashtra. Anganwadi and Hirka

Hirkani room for the children of female prisoners has been started in Byculla Jail (Arthur Road) in Mumbai. This is the first project of its kind in the state.

There are 350 women prisoners in the Byculla Jail in Mumbai. 15 children ranging from one year old to six years old are lodged in the jail along with their mothers. Women workers and helpers have been appointed under the Integrated Child Development Program of the Social Welfare Department of the government to give these children an opportunity for education in an environment outside the prison and also to give them a bright direction for their future. Pre-primary education will be given to children in Anganwadi.

The ‘Nanhe Kadam’ initiative has provided nursery facilities for the children of women prisoners as well as the children of prison officers and employees. ‘Nanhe Kadam’ and Hirakni Room have been set up in the Byculla Jail premises in Mumbai by the State Prison Department in collaboration with Angan, a social organization.

The initiative was inaugurated recently by Amitabh Gupta, Additional Director General of Police, Head of the State Prisons Department. At this time, Deputy Inspector General of Prisons Yogesh Desai, Director of Angan organization Dr Smita Dharmamer, Director of Prayas organization Vijay Raghavan and Byculla District Women Jail Superintendent Pallavi Kadam were also present.