Inmates being given ‘birthday red roses’ at Arthur Road jail

The inmates at Arthur Road jail in Mumbai are being given one ‘red rose’ on their birthdays by the superintendent Harshad Ahirrao, who finds every possible way to bring smile on prisoners’ face. Arthur Road jail is the only prison in Maharashtra and apparently in India where the inmates are given red rose on their birthdays.

“The prisoners too have right to smile. We have started to give one red rose to prisoner on his birthday. They (prisoners) generally become emotional when we give them red rose and greet them ‘happy birthday’. The initiative helps us encouraging them (inmates) to reform their conduct. Some of them break into tears and tell us that no one cared for them with so much affection else they would not have been behind bars. It gives us inner pleasure to see them smiling,” Ahirrao told the Free Press Journal.

Now a new section of ‘birthday’ has been added in the list where the particulars of a prisoner is maintained at jail. Earlier they wrote name, age, address, case details, etc. in the jail diary. “But we now ask for the birth date from new prisoners. They smile for a minute while sharing their birth date,” he said.

Arthur Road jail has, now, maintained prisoners’ record where the birth dates are written. One official informs superintendent just a day ahead of prisoner’s birthday to give him red rose.

Ahirrao said he started this unique method when he was in-charge of Akola Central jail where he gifted ‘red rose’ to prison staff on their birthdays.

“I have implemented this initiative wherever I have gone. Besides being given one red rose, the jail staff members relieved after half-day work to celebrate their birthday with his/her family members. Now, two months ago we have started this for prisoners too,” he said.

Nearly 99 percent of prisoners at Arthur Road jail are undertrial and they generally get irritated when his relatives do not turn up to meet them. Also, they get pissed off due to lengthy judicial procedure or if their bail plea is rejected.

The jail staff members notice the mood of every prisoners and keep tracking them if inmates have any other reason to keep quite.

The inmates at Arthur Road jail can play carom, chess, volleyball, badminton, etc to have fun. Also, there is a gymnasium which is generally crowded with its prisoners.

The initiative, started by jail superintendent, helps prison staff to encourage inmates to reform their conduct