Kids for whom prison is home

What happens to a child if he/she is born inside a prison? Or is raised inside the confinement of four walls because his parents are undergoing trial? What will be the psychological impact on the child in such a situation? Delhi-based NGO Siddhartha Vashishta Charitable Trust (SVCT) works toward the psychological development of these children and emphasises on the role education can play in improving their lives.

The Trust identifies financially weak families and individuals who are victims and provides them with long-term as well as short-term financial assistance and gives them adequate counseling for development of children. Kanupriya Mehta, General Secretary,  SVCT,  says, “We feel that the children of prisoners, like any other children, are just as innocent and they too deserve to live with dignity, honour and respect. Education is a stepping stone towards building a better future for these children. One where there is possibility for growth and developing essential life skills. We strongly believe that the children of prisoners are among the most underprivileged children and need special attention so that they do not fall back into the ‘vicious pattern of punishment’.”

Talking about the need to focus on these children and their lives, Kanupriya states, “These unseen, unheard children of prisoners are condemned and ostracised in society and even deprived of their basic rights. While working with the children of Tihar inmates, we observed that because either one or both the parents are incarcerated, the lives of these children is turned completely upside down.”

She continues, “These children are deprived of basic necessities of life and also education which is a fundamental right of every child. These children too have the right to live with honour and respect as a part of the society, not as outcasts due to circumstances beyond their control. Because they suffer societal indifference and ridicule coupled with extreme poverty, these children are financially and mentally very vulnerable and require special help.”

The NGO also helps the families to  rehabilitate, as during the process of rehabilitation they face a lot of social ostracism and exclusion. “We as an NGO help them by providing them with suitable jobs and sensitising people towards them and their needs,” explains Kanupriya.

She adds, “A supporting social environment is important for these children to ensure their proper emotional and educational development. This is an important key measure because in many cases education is disrupted due to circumstances and children get drawn towards crime.”

These children are also provided with psychological support and career counselling, states Kanupriya. “Over 600 children of jailed inmates have directly benefited from the ‘Human Touch Child’ education programme as we have sponsored their fees, uniforms, books, stationery and every daily requirement,” she concludes.