Aseparate enclosure, fear of fellow convicts and sheer willpower: it’s a formula which appears to have worked wonders for prisoners keen on shedding their addictions in Parappana Agrahara jail. There’s certainly no anonymity for alcoholics and other substance dependents here. Those keen on starting a new life walk into an enclosure, informally called the ‘de–addiction centre’, in full glare of fellow inmates. Their desire to remain inside the enclosure is as much a deterrent as the blows that other convicts rain on them if they sneak out.

Numbers vouch for the success of the Parappana Agrahara de–addiction therapy. Two years ago, when the centre was opened, it had 80 prisoners. The number almost doubled, touching 150 in 2013.

Sources in the prison admit there’s a high dependence on tobacco, alcohol and ganja here. Most inmates bring their habit into prison and the anomie only forces them to turn to it with a renewed vengeance.

"A convict who smoked a pack of beedis began to smoke three packs after coming here," they pointed out.

Sources say beedis, cigarettes and chewing tobacco are the preferred substances. "Depression is the first consequence of imprisonment. If convicts are already addicted to tobacco, their

reliance on it increases. Soon, their health is affected and they don’t get quality treatment either in the jail hospital or government–run hospitals like Victoria," the sources said.

In 2011, substance–dependent inmates expressed their desire to get rid of their addiction. Said a convict, "Nearly 500 prisoners wanted to shed their addiction to substances like tobacco, alcohol and ganja. Most of these addicts were serving life sentences." The authorities agreed to help them. They created an enclosure for those who wanted to get de–addicted. The convict said holding on to the desire for a clean start, and remaining inside the enclosure, was the first challenge. "There were some inside the enclosure who would get out on the sly. They were beaten up by convicts outside. Only those firm on quitting the habit stayed back, and numbered around 80," he said.

HOMEGROWN METHODS
Most of the techniques used in the de–addiction enclosure are self–developed. Whenever prisoners undergo withdrawal symptoms and feel like lighting up again, other inmates interact with them, trying to divert their minds.

Prisoners are counselled by psychologists affiliated to an NGO and their substance dependence, if any, is noted. Apart from periodic counselling, extreme cases are sent to Nimhans. "One inmate was suffering from gangrene in his right leg. He was addicted to alcohol and beedi. We forced him to stay with us and he’s completely quit alcohol now," the convicts said.

The de–addiction enclosure’s popularity is growing. With the number now touching 150, the enclosure has been expanded to include some neighbouring barracks too.

TIMES VIEW: Experiment must be replicated
It’s a surprise success story in a hostile prison environment. A roughand–ready experiment — an enclosure and the will to triumph over addiction — is working. That the prisoners have little professional help and almost no medical intervention, makes this a bigger achievement. It’s likely that they counsel and encourage each other. The authorities could hold this up as a model and also offer maximum help to prisoners who are ready to give up their old way of life.