Two lemons a day — how Delhi jails are helping keep inmates hydrated this summer

Indian Express

5 days ago

Despite Delhi seeing a 'wetter-than-usual' summer, the season has been particularly harsh on inmates at the city's prisons, including those in Tihar and Mandoli jails, officials observed.
According to weather experts, humidity levels have increased, which has led to a rise in real-feel temperature and a higher heatwave index.
To protect inmates from dehydration, the prison administration has taken several measures. As part of this initiative, lemons are being provided to all of them — inmates get two lemons a day to squeeze into their water.
Approximately Rs 20 lakh worth of lemons are being procured every month to ensure a sufficient supply, a jail official said.
Currently housing 19,000 inmates — including 16,500 (87%) undertrial prisoners — jails across Delhi see an estimated daily consumption of around 38,000 lemons. The distribution, officials said, has been taking place since April 15 and will continue till July 15 to help protect inmates from the blazing sun. This is said to be an annual initiative.
Jails in Delhi have a maximum capacity to hold only 10,000 prisoners.
According to an advisory issued by the Resident Medical Officer of Tihar Jail, proper ventilation must be maintained in all barracks, movement during afternoon hours should be minimised and inmates are to receive Oral Rehydration Solution (ORS) packets daily. The advisory further instructs that all medical inspection (MI) rooms should keep sufficient quantities of ORS and glucose powder available for the inmates.
'Jail authorities have also put up white plastic sheets on jail windows to stop hot wind from entering the barracks,' said a jail official.
However, provisions for air conditioning or coolers have not been made, despite the weather conditions. 'We always run the risk of inmates breaking the metal parts of coolers and fashioning them into improvised knives… we have seen this happen with plastic items too. Inmates have broken grills installed around water coolers and sharpened them into knives before,' said the official.
Officials underlined that all medical rooms and jail hospitals are prepared to handle any heat stroke cases. In Tihar, the jail hospital has kept an availability of 120 beds, whereas in Mandoli jail, the hospital has kept an availability of 70-75 beds.
Meanwhile, medical rooms across jails in Delhi have kept 10-20 beds available for any emergencies, officials said.
However, the inmates' diet remains the same despite the heat. 'Apart from these provisions, the jail canteen has cooling drinks such as chaas and lassi available. Inmates can even buy summer fruits like watermelon from the canteen, using their PPC (Prisoners' Private Cash),' the jail official explained.
An inmate is allowed a maximum limit of Rs 12,000 to be spent in the commissary.