In response to a report submitted by the Amicus Curiae in a suo motu cognisance case, the Supreme Court has recently taken decisive action to address the alarming revelation that a significant number of women prisoners in West Bengal jails are pregnant. The move comes after the Calcutta High Court expressed serious concerns about the issue during a case related to prison reforms.

The report was considered by the bench of Justices Hima Kohli and A Amanullah wherein Senior Advocate Gaurav Agarwal, shed light on the distressing situation where many women prisoners in the state were already pregnant upon entering jails. It also brought attention to cases where women prisoners, while on parole, returned to incarceration pregnant. Startling statistics from the ADG & IG Correctional Services revealed that 62 children were born in West Bengal jails over the last four years, with 181 children currently residing with their mothers in various prison facilities.

In response to these revelations, Agarwal recommended several prison reforms and urged the Supreme Court to direct the senior-most lady judicial officer in each district to assess the security measures in women's jails and barracks.

The Supreme Court, in a swift response, ordered the inclusion of a woman judicial officer in the existing committee responsible for examining the safety and conditions of women prisoners in each district. The committee is also mandated to include the superintendent of women's jails. The court emphasized that the committee should be constituted in line with its previous order, expanding its scope to address the setup of new jails and the enhancement of facilities in existing ones, with a specific focus on the needs of women prisoners.

The court has further stressed the importance of obtaining input from each state and union territory, ensuring a holistic approach to the issue. The next hearing on this matter is scheduled for April.

During the hearing, Senior Advocate Meenakshi Arora, representing the West Bengal government, provided additional insights. She highlighted the presence of an all-women staff in correctional homes and the use of CCTV cameras throughout the facilities. Arora also noted that there are 126 women accompanied by 159 children, emphasizing the government's efforts to maintain a safe environment.

The bench acknowledged the report's recommendations, including the examination of the availability of sufficient women personnel for the security and welfare of women prisoners. Regular health check-ups at the time of admission and periodic intervals were also emphasized. Drawing comparisons with jail authorities in Rajasthan, Haryana, and Delhi, the report revealed that female jails in these regions have exclusively women officials, with male personnel deployed only at the periphery and gates.