Children below 6 years are permitted by law of India to stay with their mothers in the correctional homes. The innocent children who have committed no crime have to forego freedom and other facilities when they stay with their mothers in the correctional home. Special facilities have been provided so that they can lead normal life to the extent possible and can have healthy growth like others. Sincere steps are being taken to provide them with a life similar to that outside the prison walls. In treating the children accompanying their mothers, we are strictly following the guidelines issued by Hon’ble Supreme Court of India in R.D.Upadhyay versus State of A.P. & Ors (Refer landmark judgments)

• The little children accompanying their parents are allowed to stay in the female wards with their mothers.
• The children are provided with proper nutritious diet.
• Proper medical care is provided to the children.
• Steps are underway for providing crèches for the children in correctional homes of the State as per the guidelines of Hon’ble Supreme Court of India.
• In 11 correctional homes of the State, there are ICDS centers run by Deptt of Women & Child Development and Social Welfare, Govt. of West Bengal.
• There are both educational and recreational facilities for the children in the correctional homes.
• A large number of NGOs are engaged to facilitate educational, recreational and sporting activities for the children in correctional homes.

Of the total 11 ICDS centers sanctioned by State Government for correctional homes, the two most important ICDS centers are at Presidency Correctional Home and Alipore Women’s Correctional Home, Kolkata and run by the Deptt of Women & Child Development and Social Welfare.

On our proposal Govt of India and Deptt of Women & Child Development and Social Welfare, Govt of West Bengal have sanctioned vide order no. 3306-SW/3S-91/07 Dtd. 7.9.07 (see G.O. / Notifications) nine more ‘Anganwari Centers’ under ICDS project in four Central (Dum Dum, Midnapore, Jalpaiguri, Berhampore), three District (Krishnanagar, Balurghat, Coochbehar), one Women’s (Purulia) and one Special (Siliguri) Correctional Home of the State for the children and expectant mothers lodged in correctional homes for their education,vaccination and special nutrition programmes.