Inmates at the Sabarmati Central Prison














Sabarmati Central prison is located in D cabin area of Ahmadabad. While crossing the Torrent Bridge the green section on both sides of the bridge is the Open Jail area. The jail is over 100 years old. Famous people like Gandhi, Sardar Patel and Tilak have been kept here. Right now the total inmates in the Jail is around 3300 including the under trials (Kachha Kaidi).The convicted and the people who are serving a term there are the ones who are employed in the Jail Industries. Some of these Inmates who have spent more than 75% of their term and have had a clear record in the jail are sent to the open jail. Where they are not confined to the prison walls, but are allowed to work in fields or in the dairy or in the Jail Bhajiya Center. Also the prison staff is part of this community as they are the people who are responsible for all the decisions and issues with the jail industries and inmates.


Parameters that make them a community
Common Resources:
These inmates use all the resources available to all. The incentive of good work is a favor not money. They all have to follow a strict daily routine, which in turn keeps them healthy and fit. They all use the currency used inside the jail . Their wages are set no matter how well they work. Their wages are called as VARDI. It is as follows
Skilled: Rs 20,
Semiskilled: Rs 18,
Unskilled: Rs 16.



Community by Communication:
No matter what there crimes are of what language they speak all the inmates get use to common terminology in the jail. They follow the instructions very religiously because this is the only way to have a few extra privileges in the jail. There is a strange Harmony in the jail industry, the guard or in charge of the industry is like the floor supervisor of any industry. They share a common social background, and thus are at ease in understanding each other.


Community by Sharing:
These inmates are majorly from north Gujarat as this is the only central prison in this part of the state. They all have gone through the similar judicial proceedings, thus they understand each other well enough. They have a seniority pattern that they follow. They are quite aware about things happening in the outside world and try to update each other about that (e.g.: the swine flue). They share the same accommodation and clothing, food, luxuries (water cooler).





Over view of livelihood, Education and Environment:
A day in the jail starts at 5 am in the morning. Where in they go through their daily routine and a daily head counting is done at 6am. The industry segment is opened around 6 am .The morning Tea and lunch is served at the industries segment only. The work is distributed as per skill and requirement in each of the departments. The day’s work is a major source of recreation and easing. The work in jail is although not a major source of income however, it is an essential for liberty from certain restrictions. Most of the inmates are from small towns and are not educated. Since it is a Central Prison most of the inmates are the ones with long terms. The inmates in the OPEN JAIL are the ones who have served most of their term. They are employed in office activities and other stuff where they are allowed moving out of the confinements. The regulation is majorly in the hands of the jail authorities. They take major decisions for the welfare of inmates in the jail. There a re a restricted number of visits that are provided for the family members, for instance all sisters were allowed to meet their brothers and tie RAKHI on the occasion Rakshabandhan.