...... CIVIL LIBERTIES 41 much needed change in the attitude of the society towards prisoners by a sensitive and responsible reporting of stories of human suffering and human warmth relating to the lives of prisoners. Dr. V.S. Chitnis, Member SHRC gave a comprehensive talk on various judgments of the Supreme Court relating to prisoners’ rights and jail conditions. Interaction with the participants, which formed an integral part of the workshop, helped in understanding the working and living conditions of the Jail officials whose job is becoming increasingly hazardous and stressful. 4.76 The workshop for the jail officials of Andhra Pradesh was conducted at Vishakapatnam on 13 September 2003 with the active cooperation and participation of Shri M.A. Basith, D.G. (Prisons) and Correctional Services, Andhra Pradesh. Earlier, one such workshop was held at Hyderabad on 27 November 2002. 45 Prison Officers holding the rank from Deputy Jailer to DIG participated in the workshop. In his inaugural address, Shri Virendra Dayal, Member, NHRC highlighted the importance of human rights in administration with particular reference to Police and Jail Departments. Explaining the significance of people’s fundamental right to life with dignity, he emphasized the duty of the establishment, political as well as executive to respect the mandate of the Constitution of India and our international treaty obligations. He expressed his anguish over reports about pathetic living conditions and complaints of ill treatment, harassment and corruption in jails in most parts of India received by the Commission. He reminded the jail officials about their duty to respect the human rights of prisoners who have been deprived of their liberty and are totally dependent on their keepers in the matter of enjoyment of their minimum basic needs and other rights which are not affected by incarceration. Shri S. Govindarajulu, Chief Legal Adviser, CBCID, Hyderabad addressed the participants on important judgements of the Supreme Court related to the rights of prisoners and prison conditions. Shri Vidya Prasad, District and Sessions Judge, Visakhapatnam spoke about the plight of the tribals living in scheduled areas who remain deprived of the benefits of new Criminal Procedure Code. The interaction with the participants provided a useful insight into the major problems faced by the Prison staff. 4.77 The workshop for the Jail Supdts. of Bihar was held at Patna on 10th January 2004 in collaboration with the prison Department headed by Shri Ravi Kant, Additional Home Commissioner-cum-IG (Prisons) Bihar. 45 Jail Supdts., one Assistant Jailer and 4 Sub Divisional Magistrates, Incharge of the Sub Jails participated in the workshop. The workshop was inaugurated by Justice A.S. Anand, Chairperson, NHRC. Shri Baswan Prasad Bhagat, Minister for Prisons and Shri Ashok Kumar Chaudhri, Minister of State for Prisons, Bihar and Shri B.K. Haldar, Home Secretary, Bihar were present at the inaugural function. Shri Ashok Kumar Chaudhri, Minister of State welcomed the Commission’s initiative and described the measures being taken by the State Government to improve the conditions in the Prisons. He expressed the view that the problems of prisoners can be sorted out only if the inflow and outflow of prisoners is controlled by expediting the judicial process. Sheri Baswan ANNUAL REPORT 2003-04