Raghava M/The Hindu

• Undertrials who smoke are trying to kick the habit 
• Sale of beedis, cigarettes has been banned in prison canteen
• ‘There has been an increase in inmates undergoing treatment’

Bangalore, Aug 18: For this 35-year-old undertrial at the Bangalore Central Prison, there is one more reason to feel depressed. He can no longer smoke cigarettes, a habit that has been with him for several years. The reason: the prison is in the process of becoming a non-smoking zone.

Desperate to get over his addiction, the undertrial is trying to kick the habit by undergoing a de-addiction therapy and keeping himself busy playing volleyball. “We are not forcing the inmates to quit smoking. We are motivating them to lead a healthy life and make this place a better one for living,” said Chief Superintendent of the prison M.C. Vishwanathaiah.

To start with, the prison has banned sale of beedis and cigarettes in its canteen. Relatives and friends are also not allowed to give cigarettes or beedis to the inmates. It has taken one year for the authorities to make the prison a no-smoking zone. The pressure came from the lower-level prison employees who were finding it difficult to cope with the smoking inside the barracks. With 4,900 prisoners housed in different cells in each of the nine barracks, there was hardly any space that was not affected by smoking. “Non-smoking inmates as well as lower-level prison staff are virtually locked in the barrack. They are affected by passive smoking,” said Additional Director General of Police (Crime and Technical Services) S.T. Ramesh, who was earlier in the Prison Department.

Volleyball courts have been created in each of the barracks. The Prison Department has provided 10 carom boards and 10 chess boards for each one of the barracks. Regular classes are conducted for those interested in music, dance and drama. “We want to involve the inmates in activities that could act as a substitute for smoking,” Mr. Vishwanathaiah said.

Many inmates are undergoing a de-addiction course in the prison hospital. Two non-governmental organisations, Narcotics Anonymous and Alcoholics Anonymous, have been counselling the prisoners. Drugs are being prescribed to reduce craving for nicotine. Since one month there has been a marked increase in the number of inmates undergoing the treatment.

“It’s a slow process,” Mr. Vishwanathaiah said, pointing to incidents where inmates were found smoking despite their efforts. “We are trying to mentally prepare them against substance abuse,” he said.