Advocate
The Prisons have been changed to Correctional Homes and it plays a key role in the society. The concept is to change the mental conditions of the inmates in the correctional homes and to change them through several layers of reforms to integrate them back in the society.
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The varied conditions that make a person to commit petty or other crimes could be of an unwanted heat-of-the moment action or reaction for which the person has to face the consequences as per the law of the land and is sent to the correctional homes to cool their heels and for the desired metamorphosis. There comes the crucial role of the correctional homes which are responsible for the physical and mental stability and wellbeing of the inmates. The most important part the Correctional Homes needs to emphasis is to give them a fair second chance and to smoothly integrate them back in the society so that after their release they can lead a normal life and support their families. The stigma they carry after their release and the social non-acceptance keeps them jobless and compels them to get back into unlawful work and sometimes, they are forced to get into the unlawful work with the relationships they had created during their stay in the Correctional Homes. There comes the importance of the society to be reasonable, understanding and supportive to bring them back as a part of the society.
Most of the inmates who are First Time Offenders repent heavily in the Correctional Homes and desperately look for being released and desires to be back with their families. This is exactly the time when the Judiciary and the Legal Support System have a very crucial role to play. The inmates both Under Trials and Convicts need to be represented in the appropriate courts so that their cases are put forward with due importance along with relevant documents and evidences that will enable the Judiciary to take necessary views and pass orders of discharge or acquittal or remission etc. as the cases rightly deserves.
The documentary, I am a citizen too, was screened on 12th December, 2025 at the Indian Museum Hall along with cultural programs performed by the inmates of Presidency Central Correctional Home and Dum Dum Central Correctional Home. The occasion was graced by Hon’ble Justice Shri Sabyasachi Bhattacharyya of the Calcutta High Court, Shri Ujjal Biswas – Minister in Charge, Govt of West Bengal, Shri Kunal Ghosh – Former MP of Rajya Sabha, Dr. Manabi Bandyopadhyay – Principal and Social Activist, Smt. Alokananda Roy – Performing Artist and Social Activist and Senior Officials of the Correctional Department, Govt of West Bengal and other dignitaries.With a strong request to all stake holders like Judiciary, Correctional Services, Government Authorities, Legal Fraternity and the society at large to please support the cause.
