Art in the jailhouse
Jail No. 2, Central Prison, Tihar: A place unlike any other. Here, prisoners lead a fairly normal life, learning to paint, bake cookies and bind books. What's more, at this correctional centre, also known as the Jail Factory, creative art is used to reform inmates.
Praveen is one of them. Just 16 when he arrived in prison after being charged with rape, he paints only black and white portraits and landscapes. He studies with professional artists and teaches beginners. Suresh, an undertrial in Tihar, draws inspiration from his life experiences. Painting has imbued him with confidence — he has 300 works to show and participates in inter-jail painting competitions.
Neuro-psychiatrist Dr Sanjay Chugh, says, "Art therapy acts as a vent for the clogged emotions of these inmates. It can help them cope with stress and traumatic past experiences. Very often, they are inexpressive or reluctant to talk about their problems. This therapy allows them to reveal their thoughts in a non-threatening manner."
Art therapy's extraordinary impact has had remarkable results. Recently, the Ramchander Nath Foundation, an NGO that's been working with Tihar inmates for two years, organized an all-jail art competition in collaboration with Ojas Art and Delhi Prisons. The NGO's founder Anubhav Nath now plans an exhibition of prison talent alongside leading contemporary artists.
This is not the only NGO involved. There is Family Vision, which has conducted art sessions for Tihar inmates since 1993. Family Vision's Sonia Pillai says, "Art helps a prisoner to step away from himself and discover a kinder and gentler side to himself. It provides a positive means of self-expression." Pillai claims that nearly 25,000 adolescent prisoners have benefited from this reform initiative over the last 12 years.
Family Vision also conducts theatre workshops, music and drama presentation and embroidery classes. It also offers personal counselling, character education for adolescent inmates and child development programmes. The theatre programme touches on themes that include anger management, responsible citizenship and the dangers of drug abuse. Each programme is for one prison ward at a time; each draws roughly 300 inmates. "The participation of the inmates in these plays gives them a chance to reflect on their own behaviour and change the way they respond and react to real-life situations," says Pillai.
Sixteen-year-old Jaiveer was a skilled tailor before he arrived in prison. To encourage his skill, the prison administration gifted him an embroidery kit. That was all the push he needed; soon enough, he started embroidering clothes in jail. Three years later, he was acquitted. Now, back home, Jaiveer runs a small but successful tailoring business.
There may be many Jaiveers behind bars but social and legal barriers often make it difficult to bring prisoners into the mainstream, says S K Bharadwaj, retired joint director (prosecution), Meerut range. "Effective rehabilitation programmes help convicts improve their social skills, change their mindset and reduce chances of a re-offence," he says. "Art can act as a cathartic booster to help inmates identify their strengths."
Jail authorities agree. Sunil Kumar, spokesman for Tihar Jail, says creative classes have a sobering and positive impact on the psyche of prisoners. "Our basic motive is to reintegrate prisoners as responsible members of society and help them utilize their time in prison properly," he says. Such value-based training has benefited more than 550 prisoners at a time. "It helps them develop positive personality traits," he says.
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