I. Bare and Vulnerable Behind the Bars: Women in Need of Psychiatric Care in Indian Jails

Abstract

The near invisibility of the plight of Indian women prisoners in need of psychiatric care necessitates an exposition of their circumstances. The end of colonial rule and the growth of women’s movements in independent India have had little effect on the social attitude towards, particularly, non-political prisoners. The root causes of their crimes, especially those committed by women are rarely focused on and dealt with. Instead, these prisoners are regarded as social outcasts for committing damages of various degrees to the health of the society (Singh, 1998). This article provides a brief overview of issues by taking a historical perspective of the colonial impact on the nature of Indian society. I argue that the mental health care requirements of women prisoners must be addressed within the context of postcolonial and gendered roles and responsibilities. Specifically, I suggest that these crimes can often be regarded as subversive acts of agency within this developing nation. The significance of placing women’s issues within a colonial perspective is that it takes into account the impact of colonialism on India’s social structure and legal system: penal structures as well as notions of justice developed in tandem with changes in educational and occupational structures. These socio-legal changes initiated major shifts in conceptualizing the position of women in Indian society.