The Supreme Court of India has recently taken cognizance of alarming reports surrounding pregnancies in women's prisons in West Bengal. The court's attention was drawn to this matter following revelations that many women prisoners were already expecting when brought into the correctional facilities. The issue has raised questions about the security measures, healthcare infrastructure, and overall well-being of female inmates.

Amicus Curiae and Senior Advocate Gaurav Agarwal informed the Supreme Court that a considerable number of women prisoners were pregnant at the time of their admission to jails, with some instances occurring during parole. According to the information submitted on February 12, the Additional Director General and Inspector General of Correctional Services in West Bengal reported that 62 children were born in the state's jails over the past four years.

The Supreme Court decided to delve into the matter after it was initially brought to the attention of the Calcutta High Court on February 8. The court sought responses and suggestions on addressing the issue from the amicus curiae, who, in turn, filed a reply outlining several recommendations.

Senior Advocate Gaurav Agarwal proposed a series of measures to address the concerns raised:

• Security Assessment: The senior-most lady judicial officer in the district, in collaboration with the senior-most lady police officer and the Superintendent of women's jails or barracks, should assess the existing security measures.

• Personnel and Health Checkups: The officials should examine the availability of sufficient women personnel to ensure the security and well-being of women prisoners. Additionally, they should assess the availability of regular health checkups for women at the time of admission and periodically thereafter.

• Strengthening Mechanisms: Specific suggestions were made to strengthen existing mechanisms, including filling up vacant posts and enhancing the healthcare infrastructure for women in jail.

• Children's Welfare: In jails where children are present, it is recommended to involve a lady member of the Child Welfare Committee of the district to assess the availability of crèches, schooling, and other facilities for children lodged with their imprisoned mothers.

The Supreme Court's intervention in response to reports of pregnancies in West Bengal women's prisons signifies a crucial step towards addressing the challenges faced by female inmates. The proposed recommendations aim to enhance security, healthcare, and overall conditions for women prisoners, emphasizing the importance of a comprehensive approach to tackle the multifaceted issues within the correctional system.