12. Prison Work The primary purpose of prison work is to instil a sense of responsibility and keep the prisoner suitably engaged during the day, while allowing them to learn a skill. Prisoners can be engaged in a range of work opportunities in prison, from working in offices and producing items for the prison to utilize, to working outside the prison on a work release scheme. Prisoners can also be sent to open prison camps or work camps if they are serving a short sentence or have a few years left to serve, if they do not belong to certain categories, such as those accused of disobedience to officers. Open camps contain industrial parties 2, such as carpentry and welding as well, but are primarily devoted to cultivation. This limits the potential of prison work opportunities to effect the rehabilitation of prisoners, as prisoners may not be able to learn a skill that will benefit them upon release. For instance, prisoners engaged in cultivation at work camps and open prisons would not be able to utilise their experience productively upon release, if they reside in urban areas. Opportunities for female prisoners to work do not extend beyond work within prison and keeping the premises clean. The conditions of work sections and premises in prisons do not meet the requirements of adequate natural light, ventilation and safety as they are often housed in old dilapidated buildings and huts. The Commission observed multiple hazard risks in work sections and the provision of safety equipment to prisoners was minimal, if not non-existent. Working conditions of prisoners are not monitored by medical officers and the lack of oversight and recommendations for improvement means that work conditions remain unfavourable. Prisoners stated they were not allowed enough breaks and time to engage in personal tasks, and as a result viewed prison work as a punishment rather than an opportunity to spend their time productively. Inmates in work and open camps alleged they have to work all seven days of the week. Inmates also complained about the lack of equipment and modern tools, due to which most work has to be undertaken manually thereby requiring more effort and time. The requirement for skilled instructors was iterated by the Commissioner of Industries and Skills Development, for which more funds would have to be allocated. Prisoners may be adequately remunerated when employed in outside schemes, but receive only a few cents a day for working within the prison. Remuneration rates for prisoners have not been revised in the last thirty-five years and the lowest daily wage for Grade 1 prisoners is currently Rs. 1.00, while the highest daily wage for Grade 4 prisoners is Rs. 2.50. Opportunities for prisoners to work outside the prison and earn an income are limited, and the Commission noted that despite having the necessary policies in place, work release schemes seem to be underutilized. A work release scheme allows prisoners to be employed by a private or state entity outside the prison, where they go to work every day and earn the 2 Industrial Work Parties refers to the different groups of convicted prisoners, primarily in closed prisons and work/open camps, that manufacture products to be used in the prison and by other government entities. Sometimes these products are also sold to the public. Common work parties include, carpentry, blacksmith, welding, tailoring, bakery, weaving, coir products and brick-making. xvi