Dr. G.D.Gautama, IAS

Addl. Chief Secretary
Home & Deptt of Correctional Administration
Government of West Bengal

Welcome to the refurbished website of the Prisons Directorate. In West Bengal, we have treaded a long path in transforming our prisons into correctional homes. We could take some vital policy decisions in ensuring the transformation: our governing legislation is West Bengal Correctional services Act; we could rename our prisons as correctional homes; we notified Prisoners’ Welfare Fund, Sports Club; we could establish Self-help Groups in correctional homes; introduce culture therapy in right earnest; involve civil society organizations in the affairs of the homes and initiate many other experiments. However, we have a long way to go to ensure that the facilities provide correctional services in letter and spirit.

Crime is the outcome of a deviant behaviour. It may be the result of strong provocation, may be committed on the spur of the moment, may even be committed unwittingly. Whatever be the reason, we at the correctional set up are concerned with three things: Safety of the society at large which warrants incarceration of the alleged offenders; safety and security of those incarcerated which calls for appropriate segregation and facilities; and constant effort at mainstreaming the people in our charge which can be achieved through corrective measures including effective vocational training and support. We are constantly endeavoring to achieve all three goals. This new look website is another way of reaching out to the community with our initiatives and constraints. Come, traverse the path treaded every day by our officials and inmates, experience the world of correctional homes and join hands to make reformation in correctional homes a concrete reality.