Punjab gives inmates the right to 'spend time' with their wives in jails
The Indian state of Punjab has given a landmark decision for the prisoners. According to the international news media BBC, in the wake of the request of a 60-year-old prisoner, prisoners have been given the opportunity to have physical relations with their wives.
The prisoner, Gurjit Singh, has been in Govindyal Jail in Relief Taran district of Punjab for several months. He told the BBC that he developed loneliness and psychological problems while in prison. At this time he realizes that if he can spend a few hours alone with his wife then it is possible to get rid of this issue. He then appealed to the jail authorities.
Jail authorities in Punjab said that inmates will be allowed to spend two hours alone with their wives every two months if they behave well in jail. Jail authorities of Punjab said that 1,000 prisoners of the entire state have applied for this opportunity so far. At least half of the people have already taken this opportunity.
Jail authorities said they have allotted a room with bathroom and bed for the inmates to spend time with their wives.
They are also being given birth control. Harpreet Singh, a senior official of the Punjab Prisons Authority, told the BBC, 'We have taken this measure to relieve the prisoners from mental anguish and to allow them to enter into a good social life. Besides, we have taken measures so that they are not deprived of their biological needs even if they are in jail.
Countries around the world such as Russia, Germany, France, Belgium, Spain, the Philippines, Canada, Saudi Arabia, Denmark and several states in the United States have given prisoners the right to spend time alone with their wives.
