Tag : Childcare

    Love Behind Bars: How Tihar nurtures children in jail with their mothers

    Pankaj Sharma
    September17/ 2023

    New Delhi: It is said that love transcends all boundaries and this is being proven true in the national capital’s dreaded Tihar Jail where children born to incarcerated mothers are being given the kind of upbringing and care that one can never expect in a place that houses hardened criminals. Currently, 37 children aged between 0-6 years that call Central Jail Number Six their home for now, are receiving remarkable care, education, and medical attention within the confines of the high walls of the prison. Special care of these children begins at the prenatal stage and continues through their birth till they start their schooling and eventually leave the prison after reaching the age of six. A dedicated gynecologist regularly visits the prison, providing essential checkups and medical support to the expectant mothers. "Pregnant inmates are given all the medical facilities they need, and women doctors are there round-the-clock in case any expectant mother needs help," said a senior prison official. The care extends to counseling for expectant mothers, providing guidance and support on pregnancy-related issues. Once a woman gives birth, she stays under observation with her newborn in an eight-bed ward housed in a separate barrack meant for inmates with children. The focus is on ensuring the well-being of both mother and child in the crucial early days of the confinement. The special care doesn't stop at childbirth and the young ones are provided with comprehensive medical care as they grow. “A certified vaccination centre within the prison ensures they receive the jabs necessary for the baby’s well-being and survival. The prison’s immunisation programme covers vital vaccines like BCG, Polio, Hepatitis, DPT, and Tetanus,” said anoth ...

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