The word 'Sabarmati' immediately brings to mind Mahatma Gandhi. Gandhi resided in the Sabarmati Ashram and began the famous Dandi March from here. Located near the ashram is the Sabarmati Central Jail in Ahmedabad, where Gandhi and other prominent freedom fighters like Sardar Vallabhbhai Patel and Bal Gangadhar Tilak were imprisoned during the independence struggle.
A recent visit to Sabarmati Central Jail in Ahmedabad changed my views on how the prison ecosystem is managed in Gujarat. Having vivid impressions of jails I visited earlier in other states as part of work assignments, the experience at Sabarmati Central Jail was a pleasant and proud moment. Built in 1895 and spread over an area of 68 acres, the jail is divided into three parts. Within the complex, there are separate jails to house women, undertrials, and convicts. Currently, around 3,995 inmates are lodged here.
High-profile prisoner Lawrence Bishnoi is also lodged in the high-security cell of the prison.
Today, the great leaders who were once imprisoned here would have been elated with the reforms carried out in Sabarmati Central Jail and 64 other jails across Gujarat-including district jails, sub-jails, and mamlatdar prisons-housing 18,000 inmates.
Glimpses from the Prison
A part of the jail where Gandhi was imprisoned has been named Gandhi Yard, from where several activities reforming prisoners' lives are being carried out.
Manish Parmar, a convict serving a life term since 2010, was a painting teacher. He continues to draw and sell his paintings through NGOs associated with the jail. He also teaches painting to other inmates interested in pursuing the art.
A painting by Manish Parmar
Radio Prison operates in all four central jails-Ahmedabad, Surat, Rajkot, and Vadodara. The station broadcasts popular programmes including music, educational content, psychological counselling, entertainment, and skill development training. Prime Minister Narendra Modi's 'Mann Ki Baat' is also aired regularly.Launched on October 2, 2020, Radio Prison has been a big hit among inmates. Each day, RJs (radio jockeys), who are prisoners, run the morning and evening shows for two hours. Parmar is one such RJ operating from Gandhi Yard. Inmates also narrate their tales of regrets, sorrow, and new hope.
The once unpalatable food menu has also undergone a transformation. The decades-old breakfast of chickpeas, peanuts, and jaggery has been replaced with suji sheera, upma, and poha. Similarly, lunch (dal-bhat, subji, roti) and dinner (khichdi, subji, roti) menus have also improved.
While COVID-19 played havoc with the lives of many, inmates of Sabarmati were relatively unaffected due to timely intervention by the prisons department in Gujarat. Although maintaining social distancing in the crowded jail was difficult, jail authorities report that there were no COVID deaths recorded inside Gujarat's prisons.
Correctional Measures
Inmates in Gujarat's prisons made over two lakh masks, PPE kits, and sanitizers to protect themselves during COVID.
The concept of the open jail-known for its restorative justice approach and minimal security - is also in practice at Sabarmati.
"The open jail houses prisoners with good behaviour who are given a chance to pursue skill development based on their experience and interests. Prisoners can also pursue open courses in business from Babasaheb Ambedkar University," says KLN Rao, Director General of Prisons, Gujarat, who has been instrumental in carrying out most of the reforms since 2019.
In 2025, 67 prisoners appeared for Class 10 and 12 board exams. Specifically, 21 prisoners from Sabarmati Central Jail took board exams, including 44 appearing for the Class 12 exams. The jail also conducts training for inmates wishing to prepare for board exams.
Another innovative initiative is 'Project Dhwani', carried out in partnership with the Blind People's Association, Gujarat. The audiobooks on motivation, spirituality, and intellect are used by both visually impaired individuals and inmates, who download them on apps.
Scarred by the stigma and remorse of their criminal acts, mental well-being is a priority in Sabarmati Jail. The jail authorities have partnered with experts from Rashtriya Raksha University to open psycho-social care centres for the rehabilitation and reintegration of inmates into society. Yoga, meditation, and counselling are part of the rehabilitation programme.
DGP Rao has also introduced a structured approach to inmate release. A special task force was established to ensure the timely release of prisoners, helping them reunite with their families as soon as their jail term ends. Similarly, undertrials are released promptly once they are granted bail.
"Every prisoner has to be engaged in some form. From 2014 onwards, the perception of prisons has changed. Prisons are no longer just places where prisoners are kept, but are now considered correctional centres where we develop the skills of prisoners based on their educational and social background," says Mr Rao.
Prisoners from rural backgrounds have the option to pursue agriculture, animal husbandry, and organic farming. Other opportunities include carpentry, bakery, and diamond cutting and polishing units.
Diamond-cutting at the jail
For women prisoners, training includes beauty parlour courses, pickle making, stitching, knitting, pottery, and Kutch art.
"We produce around 100 products through the jail industries department. Our turnover is ₹40 crore. Gujarat Prisons is famous for the Jail Bhajiya House at the Ahmedabad Centre," says Rao. A new 'Jail Bhajiya' heritage building is currently being constructed near the Gandhi Ashram.
Sales at the Ahmedabad centre alone amount to ₹1 crore per annum.
The efforts in prison reforms have earned the Gujarat Prisons Department many accolades and awards.
(The author is Contributing Editor, NDTV)
Disclaimer: These are the personal opinions of the author
