Central Prison, Mysore

Date: 18'03'09

Time: 1.15 PM

Location: Central Prison, Mysore

I was with the family of 'Duniya' Vijay, the Winner of Karnataka State Best Actor Award on his debut. We were on a visit to the prison where he was shooting for his next movie titled Devru (meaning God). Sadhu Kokila, the man behind the mike. The purpose of visit was different. Vijay who is earlier popular for his involvment in social services like adopting few orphans, building a oldage home etc was again going to do a rare fete here. He was going to pay a fine of Rs 50,500 and set free a old lady prisoner who has been in the jail for over 5 years n 4 months.At noon 2 P.M, the process was done, payment of fine money n setting her free. This was done in the presence of jail superintendent, media people, movie crew on the hands of Vijay's mother Narayanamma. The prisoner was a aged lady with severe health problems, so she was seleted to get freed. After the prisoner was set free, we had the chance to meet few inmates with the permission of the head of the prison. I was able to talk to few prisoners. Most of the prisoners I interacted were highly educated like University professors, docterate holders, software engineers, doctors etc. They were very much regretting for the crimes they had committed, most of the offences were done in a splash of seconds. Temporary anger n hatred had forced them to commit the crimes. Very few were done with preplanned n organised. There was also this celebrity prisoner inside, Muthulakshmi, the widow of Veerappan.

But I was very much shocked to find that the prison was taken care in a very much humanitarian mode. We hear most of the prison cases that the facilities n the treatment inside was very harsh, but this was really an exception. Many facilities were provided for the inmates like library, worship places for 3 religions, employment schemes, educational programmes, health awareness programmes etc. And also the cleanliness in the cooking n staying places was hygienic.

On a whole, the trip was a all new different experience. Thanks to Miss.Shanthi, a police officer who escorted us inside the visit.