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The Calcutta High Court received alarming information on Thursday, revealing that female prisoners in West Bengal are reportedly getting pregnant during their custody. The amicus curiae for all correctional homes in the state informed the court that at least 196 babies were born in prisons, prompting concerns about the well-being and conditions of women detainees.
Ban on Entry of Male Staffers, Calcutta Jail. The amicus curiae urged the immediate prohibition of the entry of male employees of correctional homes inside the enclosures of women prisoners. During a visit to a women’s correctional home, the amicus curiae observed one pregnant woman and around 15 other women prisoners staying with their children, all born in prison.
The division bench of Chief Justice TS Sivagnanam and Justice Supratim Bhattacharya assigned the matter to another division bench, with the public prosecutor expected to be present. The amicus curiae’s notes raised serious issues, including the unexpected pregnancies of women in custody and the subsequent births of children within prisons.
Women Getting Pregnant in Jail. While a senior IPS officer from West Bengal correctional services acknowledged the policy allowing children under six years to stay with their mothers in jail, they expressed skepticism about the reported pregnancies. The officer stated that if such incidents come to their notice, they will thoroughly investigate the matter.
Women Getting Pregnant in Jail, Ban on Entry of Male Staff. The court is set to hear the case on Monday, further addressing the concerns raised by the amicus curiae regarding the reported pregnancies and births among female prisoners in West Bengal.
