A Visit to Devanahalli Open Prison

? ? ? ? ? ? ? ? ? ? ? ? ? ? ? ? ? ? ? ? ? ? ? ? ? ? ? ? ? ? ? ? ? ? ? ? -? Ram Muthaiya L

Our visit to the Devanahalli Open Prison was one of the most eye-opening experiences I have ever had. It completely changed my idea of what a prison looks like. When we usually think of a jail, we imagine high walls, iron bars, and guards with strict faces. But the Devanahalli Open Prison was nothing like that. It looked more like a quiet village surrounded by greenery and open fields. The atmosphere was peaceful, calm, and surprisingly free. It felt like a place meant not for punishment, but for correction and hope.

Spread across 113 acres, this open prison was established in 1985 and has been running successfully since then. The prison will soon be shifted to Kodur in Hassan district, where there will be more space for rehabilitation activities and training programs.

When we reached, we were welcomed warmly by Warden Mr. Lakshminarayanan and Head Warden Mr. Anand. They explained to us how the open prison works, and how it is different from the usual jails. The prison can hold up to 80 inmates, but at present only 45 are staying there. All of them are convicted of murder but have already completed at least seven years in a central prison. Because of their good behaviour and discipline, they were given the chance to move to the open prison.

There are no female inmates here, and this is the only open prison in Karnataka. The administrative system is well organised, with officers like the Jailer, Chief Jailer, Superintendent of Police, and Deputy Inspector General looking after everything. A special committee checks each prisoner’s record and behaviour before selecting them for transfer.

Daily life in prison is simple and peaceful. The inmates wake up around 6:00 in the morning and start work soon after. Their main activities include farming, poultry, and cattle rearing. During our visit, we saw them ploughing the fields, taking care of the cows, and watering the plants. The crops and products they produce are sold at the Minimum Selling Price. Though the income is small, it gives the inmates a sense of self-reliance and dignity.

The living quarters are clean and spacious. About ten to twelve inmates share a large barrackstyle room with good ventilation. They are allowed to move freely within the open area during the day, but have to be inside by 6:30 in the evening. After 5:00 PM, they have some free time to relax, read books in the library, or play games like volleyball. They also get fifteen holidays in a year, and festivals are celebrated with special meals and joy, giving them a feeling of normal life.

The food provided is simple but healthy. Breakfast usually includes ragi bath or tomato bath with tea. Lunch and dinner consist of rice, sambar, and chapathi. On festival days, special dishes are served. Each convicted prisoner receives a wage of ?545 per day for their work, which helps them support their families and feel independent. Another special feature is the remission

system — for every thirty days of work, ten days are reduced from their sentence. This motivates them to behave well and work sincerely.

The prison also has good healthcare arrangements. A small pharmacy is present inside, and doctors visit regularly. For serious medical needs, inmates are taken to Parappana Agrahara Hospital. Health camps and awareness sessions are also conducted from time to time.

Inmates are allowed to meet their families or lawyers once every fifteen days, and they can make one ten-minute phone call each week. This helps them stay emotionally connected to their loved ones. NGOs often visit to organise yoga sessions, sports, and cultural programs.

These activities bring energy and positivity to their daily lives.

The parole system here is another example of how humanely the prison is run. Inmates can apply for emergency parole for five days or normal parole for up to three months. Before granting parole, the local police check whether there is any threat or risk to the prisoner. This shows that the system balances compassion with caution.

One of the most touching moments during our visit was when we met an inmate named Santosh, who had come from the Dharwad Central Jail. He made us coffee himself and spoke softly about how life in the open prison had changed him completely. He said the freedom, trust, and opportunities here gave him hope for a better future. His calm and polite manner showed how reformation is truly possible when people are treated with respect.

The visit made me realise that the Devanahalli Open Prison is not just a place for punishment but a space for personal growth and rehabilitation. The environment helps inmates rediscover their sense of responsibility and discipline. Instead of being watched constantly, they learn to control themselves and live with honesty. This makes them better prepared to return to society as responsible citizens.

However, there are still some areas that can be improved. There is a need for more educational programs and vocational training. Most of the inmates are involved only in manual labour like farming or cattle work. If they are given opportunities to learn new skills or get certified training, it will be easier for them to find jobs once they are released. Counselling sessions and post-release support would also make rehabilitation more successful.

Being part of the Legal Services Clinic, I feel our university can contribute in many ways to make a difference in places like Devanahalli Open Prison. The clinic can organise legal awareness workshops every month to help inmates understand their rights, parole process, and remission rules. I assume many inmates are unaware of the legal options available to them. A legal aid desk can also be set up to help them and their families with paperwork, parole applications, and appeals.

We can also work with NGOs and vocational trainers to start workshops on advanced farming, dairy management, and small-scale entrepreneurship. Another useful step would be to involve psychology students and social workers to provide regular counselling and family sessions.

Our university’s different departments can also play a big role. Students from technology, arts, film, and design can organise creative projects for the inmates. Tech students could teach basic computer skills, arts and design students could conduct painting or craft workshops, and film students could document real-life reformation stories or make short awareness films about life inside the open prison. These activities will not only help inmates express themselves but also create meaningful learning experiences for students.

Finally, law students can record and publish the stories of inmates and the positive changes brought by open prisons. This can become useful research material to promote better policies for prison reform in India.

Our visit to Devanahalli Open Prison taught us that true justice is not only about punishing the guilty but also about giving them a chance to become better people. The open prison model proves that when we treat human beings with trust and dignity, they can change for the better. It reminded me that every person, no matter what mistakes they have made, deserves a second chance — a chance to live, to learn, and to hope again.

Disclaimer :-The opinions expressed here are solely those of the author's and do not represent the views or positions of the institution.