https://indianmasterminds.com

ADVERTISEMENT
ADVERTISEMENT

Introducing Holistic Changes in Banda Jail

IAS officer Heera Lal transformed Banda Jail in Uttar Pradesh during his tenure as DM of Banda. His initiatives managed to positively change the lives of over 900 inmates of the jail. The reforms that he introduced were aimed at converting the gloomy prison into a model jail.
Indian Masterminds Stories

Banda Jail and its inmates saw a ray of light amidst the all-pervading gloom when the then DM Heera Lal visited them and promised to change the conditions within the prison premises for the better. And true to his words, he introduced many reforms to better the living conditions and bring about changes in the mindset of the inmates, by engaging them in productive activities that would create an overall positivity. By doing this, he followed the actual purpose of sending criminals to prison. To change them into honest and law-abiding citizens by empowering them with values, skills, and a platform for mainstream integration, thereby automatically creating a distaste for criminality.

Mr. Heera Lal dedicatedly worked for prison reforms during his tenure as DM Banda and made it his mission to try and convert Banda Jail into a model prison. In an exclusive conversation with Indian Masterminds, Mr. Lal explained how he tried and succeeded in bringing about much-needed changes in Banda Jail.

Resolving family issues

REFORMS INITIATIVE

When Mr. Lal visited Banda Jail for the first time, the sad and gloomy faces of inmates deeply moved him. His conscience forced him to think about the possible compromise on the human rights of the inmates, and a reducing probability of them transforming into responsible law-abiding citizens. He noticed that poor living conditions, absence of outside activities, and lack of proper engagement in productive activities added to the frustration of inmates, which made it less likely for them to think positive thoughts. Hence, he decided to take matters into his hands and chalked out a few plans to introduce some changes to bring about positivity.

“We designed and implemented an ambitious campaign titled ‘Aisi Gatividhiyan apnayenge, jail mein acche maanav banayenge.’ It was an idealistic approach with practical qualifications that guided us through the process of transforming Banda Jail and its inmates.”

Decorated walls of the prison

HUMANE APPROACH

Prison reforms in Banda jail were approached with a fresh, contemporary, and humane outlook. An ambitious methodology was adopted for the prisoners, which included:

  • A two-phased, five-day yoga camp.
  • Local games were introduced with proper team formation and championship formats.
  • To enliven the environment, and re-introduce value of social life, various cultural activities like music and dance programmes were introduced.
  • Inmates were imparted training on handicrafts, painting composition and exhibition.
  • A cleanliness competition was held among the inmates under Swatch Banda Jail.
  • To bring inmates closer to nature, arrangements were made to create bird habitat in the premises.
  • For the purpose of empowerment, women inmates were trained to stitch clothes which were then marketed in the district.
  • Festivals were celebrated with full fun and enthusiasm. Jail administration used to arrange all required stuff.
  • Wells were cleaned. A new pond was developed to store campus rainwater.
  • Several other activities were adopted, such as initiation of dairy in jail, introducing literacy, use of medicinal value trees, farm management, etc. 
Yoga camp in prison

SUCCESS OF THE INITIATIVE

Mr. Lal’s initiative touched and transformed the lives of over 900 inmates. What started with an emotional trigger soon gained momentum and transformed into a full-fledged, well-planned, sustainable inmate-engagement project.

“This initiative not only helped improve the overall living conditions of Banda Jail, but the various engagement and value-adding programs helped the inmates become a better version of themselves. Overall, we were successful in achieving our set objectives.”

Medical camp in the prison

Unavailability or inadequate resources is often the primary reason for the failure of any initiative. Therefore, while creating the engagement design, the officer kept the implementation very light on resources and funds. Most of the interventions were voluntary, complimentary, or charitable in nature, while, at the same time, maintaining the highest output standards.


Indian Masterminds Stories
ADVERTISEMENT
ADVERTISEMENT
Related Stories
ADVERTISEMENT
ADVERTISEMENT
NEWS
SEBI
SEBI Appoints 3 New Executive Directors: Amit Pradhan, Avneesh Pandey & Sanjay Purao Take Charge
Lateral_entry_resized
No Reservation in Lateral Govt Job Entries, Centre Tells Rajya Sabha Citing Single-Post Rule
DelhiPolice
Top-Level Shake-Up in Delhi Police: 3 IPS Officers Reassigned Amid Security Concerns; Chahal Named DG, Civil Defence
mp
MP’s ₹3 Lakh Crore Infrastructure Boom: 255 km Greenfield Highway, ₹5,500 Cr Tiger Corridor Among Key Road Projects
FINNOVATION 2025
SBI & IIT Guwahati Celebrate FINNOVATION 2025 Winners in Gurugram, Empowering Young Innovators to Solve Banking Challenges
nitish-kumar
Bihar: CM Nitish Kumar Inaugurates Rs 44 Crore Six-Lane Pull-Up Ramp in Patna, Aims to Ease Traffic Congestion- Know More
CM yogi
UP: CM Yogi Inaugurates Two New Kalyan Mandaps in Gorakhpur, Emphasizes Accessible Celebration Spaces- Full Details Inside
CISF
National Security at Risk: Centre Opposes Supreme Court Ruling Curtailing IPS Deputation in CAPFs, Says IPS Presence is Crucial
ADVERTISEMENT
ADVERTISEMENT
Videos
Dr
Resisted Flawed Schemes, Transferred Thrice In Three Months, Found Solace In Writing
WhatsApp Image 2025-08-11 at 4.48
IAS SVR Srinivas on Mumbai Trans Harbour Link, Tough Calls, and the Real Power of IAS Officers | Video Interview
WhatsApp Image 2025-08-08 at 5.25
Dharavi Redevelopment: IAS Minds Turning 100-Year-Old Slum into a Modern City | Video Interview
ADVERTISEMENT
UPSC Stories
IAS Minnu P M
“Lazy, Sleepy, Yet Determined”: Minnu P M’s Honest Take on Cracking UPSC
Minnu PM, once a clerk in Kerala Police, cleared UPSC with AIR 150 after five years of struggle. Her...
IPS Ashish Tiwari
From IIT and Investment Banking to Public Service, Meet IPS Ashish Tiwari 
Ashish Tiwari, IIT graduate and former investment banker, chose public service over global finance. As...
WhatsApp Image 2025-08-12 at 7.27
First Attempt IRS, Fourth Attempt IPS: The Relentless Pursuit of Jitendra Kumar Yadav Who Cracked UPSC 3 Times
IPS Yadav is originally from Chhattisgarh. He was first selected for the IRS through UPSC and later for...
Social Media
Masahiro Hara
From Go Board to Global Use, How QR Codes Changed the World: IRAS Officer Ananth Rupanagudi Spotlights Masahiro Hara’s Vision
IRAS officer Ananth Rupanagudi shared a video on Masahiro Hara, the inventor of QR codes, highlighting...
IFS Susanta Nanda Video
A Mother’s Duty: Tigress Watches Over Cubs Splashing in Waterhole — Heartwarming Video Shared By Retd. IFS Officer Susanta Nanda
A tender wildlife video shared by Retd. IFS officer Susanta Nanda shows a tigress keeping watch over...
Mohanmala
Kaziranga Mourns: Beloved Elephant Mohanmala Passes Away After Five Decades of Service
Kaziranga National Park mourns the loss of Mohanmala, a beloved elephant who served over 50 years as...
ADVERTISEMENT
ADVERTISEMENT
ADVERTISEMENT
Latest
SEBI
SEBI Appoints 3 New Executive Directors: Amit Pradhan, Avneesh Pandey & Sanjay Purao Take Charge
Lateral_entry_resized
No Reservation in Lateral Govt Job Entries, Centre Tells Rajya Sabha Citing Single-Post Rule
ADVERTISEMENT
ADVERTISEMENT
ADVERTISEMENT
ADVERTISEMENT
ADVERTISEMENT
ADVERTISEMENT
ADVERTISEMENT
Videos
Dr
WhatsApp Image 2025-08-11 at 4.48
WhatsApp Image 2025-08-08 at 5.25
ADVERTISEMENT
ADVERTISEMENT