Introduction:
On 21 February, 2026, the State Women’s Commission, Madhya Pradesh in collaboration with the Tinka Tinka Foundation organised a special visit and interaction at the historic Netaji Subhash Chandra Bose Central Jail, Jabalpur.
Built in 1854, this prison is among the oldest in India and stands as a living archive of colonial history, freedom struggle memories, and contemporary reform practices. The visit offered a deep engagement with the jail’s legacy, infrastructure, industries, and the lived realities of its inmates.
State Women’s Commission, Madhya Pradesh and Tinka Tinka Foundation
Written by Professor Vartika Nanda
History, Reform and Resilience at Netaji Subhash Chandra Bose Central Jail, Jabalpur
Date: 21 Feb, 2026
Introduction: On 21 February, 2026, the State Women’s Commission, Madhya Pradesh in collaboration with the Tinka Tinka Foundation organised a special visit and interaction at the historic Netaji Subhash Chandra Bose Central Jail, Jabalpur.
Built in: 1854
Capacity: 2803
On 21 Feb, 2026: Approximately 1800 men and 60 women, 5 on death row
Built in 1854, this prison is among the oldest in India and stands as a living archive of colonial history, freedom struggle memories, and contemporary reform practices. The visit offered a deep engagement with the jail’s legacy, infrastructure, industries, and the lived realities of its inmates.
A Jail Steeped in History: As one enters the premises, a wooden sofa crafted in 1854 still occupies space — functional and preserved across generations.
The Jail Units: The prison is divided into five functional units:
Poorvi Khand, Paschimi Khand, Aazad Hind Khand, Mahila Khand, and the Jail Hospital, along with an isolation centre.
Reform through Industry and Education: Despite its long colonial background, the jail today functions as a centre of productivity and rehabilitation. Its industries include weaving units, idol-making, printing press, masala production centre, jail school and IGNOU classes for higher education. These initiatives equip inmates with employable skills and academic qualifications, strengthening prospects for reintegration.Industry: Weaving, idol making, printing press, masala center, jail school, IGNOU classes.
The Phansi Ghar: A Stark Reminder of Justice: The jail contains a functioning execution chamber — one of the few in Madhya Pradesh, that include such arrangements in Sagar and Indore.
The execution board (takhta) can accommodate up to three inmates at a time.
A rope brought from Buxar, Bihar, was historically used for execution.
A rehearsal dummy is maintained for procedural execution.
A narrow railway track was used to carry the body post-execution.
Last execution carried out here was in 1997, when Kanta Prasad from Shahdol was hanged. This place is a reminder of capital punishment in the justice system.
Jurassic Park: Children of inmates, living with them in the jail, are occasionally given an access to a recreational space informally known as “Jurassic Park,” where they occasionally enjoy supervised pool gatherings termed as POOL PARTY- a small but meaningful attempt to preserve childhood within confinement.
The jail kitchen: Over 100 year old jail kitchen continues to prepare meals for the large inmate population. Despite overcrowding challenges in earlier decades, the system today operates in capacity limits.
Food quality is checked daily by the Deputy Jailor, who tastes the meals before they are served — a practice reflecting accountability and care.
Subhash Chandra Bose Ward: The Legacy of Subhash Chandra Bose: This jail derives its name from Netaji Subhash Chandra Bose, who was imprisoned here twice — in 1931 and again in 1933. Visitors are taken to the ward where he stayed. Outside, a placard mentions the exact dates of his incarceration. This ward houses rare memories including:
The original sleeping platform used during that era
Copies of letters written by Bose from Vienna to the then Superintendent of the jail, Shri Deshpandey
A preserved admission register bearing historical entries
A tijori (safe) made in 1882
A bell installed in 1933
A CCTV camera over 30 years old, displayed as part of the jail’s technological evolution
Artefacts recovered during excavations near the premises
Three years ago, members of Bose’s family visited the jail to see the ward and to pay their homage.
Subhadra Ward: Renowned freedom fighter and poet Subhadra Kumari Chauhan was imprisoned here from 11 August 1942 to 1 May 1944. A large placard commemorates her stay, and the ward has been named in her honour. Her presence links the jail not only to political resistance but also to literary courage and women’s participation in India’s freedom movement.
Among the women inmates, Savitri (2012), Pyari Bai (2015), and Preeti (2016) are among the longest-incarcerated residents, each full of her own untold narratives. Women inmates spend their daytime hours on the ground floor, while the first-floor barracks remain locked.
Reflections from the Visit: The collaboration between the State Women’s Commission and Tinka Tinka Foundation underscored a shared commitment to documenting prison realities, strengthening communication-based reform, and ensuring dignity within incarceration spaces.
The visit to Netaji Subhash Chandra Bose Central Jail, Jabalpur, was not merely an institutional tour- it was a journey through India’s layered history of colonial resistance, criminal justice, and correctional reform.
The visit highlighted a powerful contrast: A prison that holds memories of freedom fighters and execution chambers, yet simultaneously runs classrooms, industries, and spaces for children’s laughter.
In its corridors echo stories of struggle, punishment, reform, and resilience — stretched across 172 years of existence. Within its old walls stand relics of the past and signs of transformation. From Bose’s letters to IGNOU classrooms, from the phansi ghar to weaving units — the jail reflects the evolving philosophy of incarceration in India: punishment intertwined with possibility.
Gratitude:
Suresh Tomar, Secretary, State Women’s Commission, Madhya Pradesh
Akhilesh Tomar, Jail Superintendent
Madan Kamlesh, Deputy Superintendent
Rupali Sharma, Deputy Superintendent
Sarita Gharu, Welfare Officer
Dev Kumari Pageche, Matron
Gratitude:
श्री अखिलेश तोमर, जेल अधीक्षक
श्री मदन कमलेश, उप अधीक्षक
श्रीमती रुपाली शर्मा,उप अधीक्षक
श्रीमती सरिता घारू, कल्याण अधिकारी
श्रीमती देव कुमारी पागेचे, मैट्रन
………
No comments:
Post a Comment