Making sure Byculla prison doesn’t cage their childhood

NO BOUNDS ON CREATIVITY Non-government group paints women’s barracks to help 24 kids staying with undertrial mothers remain in touch with outside world

MUMBAI: Unlike other children his age, this six-year-old boy doesn’t spend hours playing with siblings, visiting parks and is not even aware of cartoon characters like Chhota Bheem, Tom and Jerry or Mickey Mouse. Born in Byculla women’s prison, he has never stepped out, the four walls of the jail being his only reality. However, things are set to change for this boy and the 23 other kids like him, as the administration has decided to make the space allotted to them in prison more children-friendly.

As a step towards the goal, last week, a group of students from Social Service League of the Saint Xavier’s College in Mumbai painted the walls of the playground located outside the women’s barracks in the prison with 25 images showing the beauty of the nature and cartoons.

Most of the 24 children are either born inside the prison or were very young when their undertrial mothers came here. They are allowed to stay with their mothers till the age of six, after which they are either handed over to other family members or sent to Dongri Children’s Home, in case they have no relatives. “Our aim was to add colour to the lives of these children, who haven’t seen the outside world. Their mothers have committed the crimes, but it is the children who are suffering and forced to live inside closed walls,” said Aruna Mugutrao, superintendent of Byculla prison.

Rajvardhan Sinha, IG, prison, said basic facilities such as preprimary education and play area are provided to the children. The children are taken to the play area in the prison garden twice a day – one hour in the morning and evening. “With the help of non-government organisations, we ensure that they get basic education. We let them watch cartoons and other entertainment shows on TV once a week. We also celebrate every festival here,” Mugutrao said.

Established in 1951, the Social Service League is a voluntary

organisation that aids social work across various domains. Under Project Paint, their activists and volunteers visit dilapidated schools and paint the walls. The Byculla prison area, too, was

transformed within two Sundays. “We painted the Balwaadi, play areas, both inside and outside the quarters, as well as a few walls outside the area designated for women inmates,” said Mekhela

Uchil, a second-year BA student associated with the project. “About 50-60 volunteers contributed to the project. We wish to foster better learning environments for children across the city”.