Asia’s Biggest Jail - Central Jail - Cherlapally, Hyderabad
I this article I will give a description of visited Asia’s largest — Central Prison, Cherlapally which is in Secunderabad, the twin city of Hyderabad in Andhra Pradesh. The is approximately 15-16 kms from Secunderabad station. The structure of the jail, the various buildings, how the prisoners are kept and other details about the jail are given in the article.
About Central Jail, Cherlapally, Hyderabad
One has to take prior permission from the authorities for a visit to Central Jail, Cherlapally, Hyderabad. You are not allowed to take your cell phones or cameras inside so you have to capture everything in your eyes and your memories.
The jail has 2,400 prisoners. There were 50 police officials on duty.
As one crosses the 3ft main gate one could not believe their eyes. The walls of the gate are approximately 30 feet high, electroplated, and with barbed wires. The greenery around is astonishing. The bushes are trimmed and well maintained. You cannot find a bit of paper or waste thrown carelessly around the jail premises.
The open blocks of the Central Jail, Cherlapally, Hyderabad are named after the rivers — Krishna, Godavari and Swarnamukhi. There are seven towers surrounding the Central Jail, Cherlapally, Hyderabad for the police officials to observe the inmates (prisoners). One main tower which is exactly opposite the 3ft main gate is not loaded with weapons whereas the other six towers are loaded with weapons and officials open fire in case of emergency.Gautami block of Central Jail, Cherlapally, Hyderabad
We might have seen in many movies and also heard that the inmates have to hard during their punishment period, but one will be surprised to see that the farmers who were looking after the plants in the Gautami block of Central Jail, Cherlapally, Hyderabad were none other than the prisoners themselves. The vegetables grown here are supplied to HUDA (Hyderabad Urban Development Authority).
Then there is the ration godown where cereals, pulses, rice and other edible products are stored. The godown is closed every evening at 05:30pm.
There is also a bakery where prisoners bake various items. It is open from 06:00am to 06:00pm. The kitchen is attached to the bakery. The prisoners who are good at cooking take the lead role and cook for all the prisoners. The rice is cooked by steaming method. The rice is placed on a long steam plate which is approximately 6 x 3 feet long and broad. Water is sprinkled on it often and rice is prepared.
The inmates are supplied with upma, khichidi and pongal in the morning as breakfast. They are supplied with bread and biscuits at regular intervals. For lunch, prisoners are given dal, rasam, rice and curd. Dinner comprises of rice and curry. On Sundays and on special occasions, non-vegetarian food is provided. Swarnamukhi block of Central Jail, Cherlapally, Hyderabad
Next comes the Swarnamukhi block of Central Jail, Cherlapally, Hyderabad . where the prisoners stay. There are many blocks here. Each block has 16 barracks and in each barrack 20 prisoners are accommodated. Barrack is a huge room measuring 30 x 16 feet with an attached toilet. There are 2 shelves with 20 partitions. Each prisoner can store his personal items in the shelves provided.
Cots are not provided under any circumstance. The inmates are given a thick mat, 2 bed sheets, 1 pillow, 1 pillow cover & a blanket. After they get-up in the morning they have to fold their blankets, and bed sheets and place them in the shelves. For recreation the prisoners are provided television, radio, caroms, chess board, magazines and newspapers.Vamshadhara block of Central Jail, Cherlapally, Hyderabad
The Vamshadhara block of Central Jail, Cherlapally, Hyderabad has various units- weaving unit, tailoring unit, steel & furniture unit, durry unit. The weaving unit weaves the cloth used by the male and female prisoners (white cloth with navy borders). The prisoners who are experienced tailors stitch the uniform for the prisoners. Blue uniform is for the tailors; the prisoners who do farming wear green uniform and rest of the prisoners wear white with blue border. The experienced tailors are paid Rs. 250 per day and the inexperienced tailors are given Rs. 230 per day.Various units in Vamshadhara block of Central Jail, Cherlapally, Hyderabad
In the Steel furniture unit of Central Jail, Cherlapally, Hyderabad the prisoners make steel benches, cots, racks, cupboards which are supplied to colleges and schools. 99 % of the furniture is supplied to the government offices.
In the Durry unit of Central Jail, Cherlapally, Hyderabad carpets are made. Every year in the industrial exhibition which is held in the exhibition grounds at Nampally, Hyderabad , we can see the carpets stall put up by the prisoners.
The Phenyl unit of Central Jail, Cherlapally, Hyderabad prepares concentrated phenyl which is supplied to government hospitals, schools and offices.
The Dye unit of Central Jail, Cherlapally, Hyderabad prepares dye which is very strong. All the colors used in the jail are made in this unit.
The Soap unit of Central Jail, Cherlapally, Hyderabad prepares bathing soap and washing soaps, using natural products-animal fat, coconut oil, castor oil. Krishna block of Central Jail, Cherlapally, Hyderabad
Then comes the Krishna block of Central Jail, Cherlapally, Hyderabad , which has few more barracks for the prisoners. Close to Krishna block is the Saraswati school in Central Jail, Cherlapally, Hyderabad where the prisoners receive education.
The National Academy of Construction provided 3 months theory and practical classes in plumbing, mechanical, electrical and painting. Prisoners who complete this training are also given certificates for the same.
Deloitte has provided 6 computers and the prisoners also work on them whenever necessary. Dr. B.R. Ambedkar Open University facilitates the prisoners to complete their U.G. The classes are conducted every Sunday and exams are conducted every year in the month of May -June.Daily routine of prisoners in Central Jail, Cherlapally, Hyderabad
The prisoner's day starts at 6:00am. They have to perform their daily routine within an hour. Breakfast is served at 7:00am. After breakfast they get busy with their usual work. Lunch is served from 11:00 to 11:30am. After their lunch they can relax for a while, wash their clothes and then get back to their work again until dinner is served.
At 6:00 pm all the barracks and block gates are closed and the keys are submitted in the office near the 2nd gate. Only in case of emergency, i.e., if any prisoner is unwell, the gates are opened. Else they remain closed till 6:00am.
A canteen is available for the prisoners where they can buy any item by giving coupons worth Rs.5, Rs.10, Rs.15, Rs.20 (Coupons worth Rs.1500 are provided to them every month).
All prisoners have bank accounts. Half of their earnings are deposited in the bank and handed over to them only after they are released from the prison.Central Jail, Cherlapally, Hyderabad - Conclusion
A visit to the Central Jail, Cherlapally, Hyderabad is a memorable experience and we must pay a visit to this place as it gives us great knowledge about prisons and prisoners in India. We do visit many tourist places and other places of recreation, but a visit to places such as a jail will also to our memories and knowledge about our country.
