45-day maternity parole for women prisoners in Rajasthan

Jaipur, Dec 28(UNI) Rajasthan is pioneering jail reforms in the country with the proposal of 45-day 'maternity parole' for women prisoners.

It is the first state in the country to have incorporated such a provision in the jail manual.

The State Home Department has already given its seal of approval to the proposal mooted by the jail authorities.

Ms Seema Singh, Deputy Secretary, Visa, Passport and Jail, said, ''The proposal has already been accepted by the Home department and under the active consideration of the Law Department.'' Mrs Singh said women prisoners used to go into labour in jails and the new proposal would give them the option of giving birth to their babies under the care of their family.

According to the proposal, a woman prisoner would be granted 45-day maternity parole, 15 days before the delivery of a baby and the remaining 30-day parole could be availed after the birth of a baby.

She said those prisoners, who prefer to go into labour in jails, have their option open as earlier.

UNI PJJ RL DB1252