Arthur Road Prison Conditions

peaky

Hello I was hoping someoen might be able to help me. My boyfriend is currently being held in Arthur Road Prison in Bombay. I am going out of my mind with worry for him as I am in the UK so far away from him and have not had any contact with him since he was taken away last week.
Has anyone any experience of what this prison is like. I am fully prepared that the conditions there are going to be dire, but do you think there might be any other Western people in there with him. He has some money on him so I think he might be able to buy food can anyone confirm this?
We are all doing everything we can to get him out of there and I am positive that this will happen. If anyone has any experience of this prison and the way things operate there then please let me know
Thank you.

Adventurer_Prince

May God Bless Him !!, Amen

RedSwordfish

I hope he's a tough guy...get him out soon!

http://web.amnesty.org/library/Index...pen&of=ENG-IND

Nick-H

Previous posts here on IM don't exactly encourage about the state of life in Indian jails, but, Adventure_Prince, please at least be a little more humane in your response to this worried lady.

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soulstation

Prison conditions are not all that good in India. Given the fact that he is a Foreign National, authorities will hopefully not go heavy on him.

You should breathe easy considering the fact that if anything happens to a Foreign National in an Indian prision then it will draw attention of International Media and Human Rights Activists. You would agree, none of the Prisions would want this unnecessary trouble.

Just to add - you cant buy food inside the prison. It will be provided for. It houses lot of people...some even big names. Your consulate should be able to help you in this regard.

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RedSwordfish

supply him with enough cash, that might make his life easier inside...

-m2-

I have no experience with Arthur Road prison, but if the situation is similar to the Goan one, then I would suggest that a family member be on hand in Mumbai to visit, to bring what essentials that officials will allow (even basic stuff like a straw mat to sleep on, blanket, etc) and cash if there is a canteen for supplementary food, and see if food packages or fresh fruit will be allowed. Foreigners in Fort Aguada jail in Goa that did not have relatives or friends on the outside helping out getting legal assistance and following/pressing cases, were often just left to rot. I hope your boyfriend has not been charged with a serious offence as the wheels of justice grind slowly, and imperfectly, in India from my observation.

good luck and best wishes for a successful conclusion.

crvlvr

So true.. the slow grinding wheels of the Indian beuracracy may need to be greased to speed up the process.

steven_ber

peaky, I feel for you, you must be going through hell.

I have done a long reply, but I must warn you, it's an honest reply and it won't make you feel any better, but it will give you some idea of what he is going through, please don't shoot the messenger.

I can only speak of experiences in a Thai prison, probably similar to Indian prisons.

What he will want more than anything is a visitor.

The British embassy will be able to give you the times that the prison allows visitors, also push the embassy to check on his condition and to update you, ask if there is anything he is entitled to (from the embassy) and if there are any prisoner support groups that will check on him (there was in Thailand).

Ask the embassy (and pester them 3 times a day) if they can take things to the prison for you (if you send the embassy money).

Ask the Embassy what can/can't be taken into the prison (virtually nothing I would guess), 4 things become very important in a foreign jail (that may be able to be brought in), good food, COLD clean water, cigarettes (even if he doesn't smoke) and an English language newspaper.

Cigarettes are probably not allowed to be taken in, but I guarantee they will be smuggled in, though don't try this yourself; newspapers are probably banned too (risk of inmates creating a fire).

Water (make sure it's cold) and food are probably allowed, though take far more than he needs, other inmates will take lots of it away from him.

Get him to eat and drink as much as possible (if allowed) whilst he is talking to you.

He will only be given a small bag of rice twice a day, it's awful, there will be a tap for showers (ha, joke) and toilet purposes, and this tap will be his only access to water.

Also consider toiletries and clothes (cheap plain t-shirts and trousers, anything decent will be taken away from him).

Don't show that you are alarmed at his appearance (and don’t tell him he looks good, he will likely lose weight, will likely be dirty, and could have one of many things wrong with his skin, mainly because of the hot, sweaty conditions.

There will be other foreigners in the prison and they will tend to stick together.

I hope he is not tough, or at least is sensible enough to not get into fights, if he gets punched, he should just sit down and do nothing, he could punch the hell out of the Indian who punched him, and then he will really be in serious trouble.

If you do want to try to get money to him (assuming you are not allowed to just give him money), there is a way to do it, though I think it would be risky.

If you do take him food, along with the good food, make some sandwiches, get some meat/cheese that will slice thinly and then stick back together, put some Rs50 notes between the bits of meat/cheese then put it between the slices of bread, do not butter the bread as the meat/cheese may then stick to the bread if the guards check whats inside the bread.

Never say you will visit unless you are absolutely sure you can, a missed visit will torture him.

Don't tell him "we will have you out of here by Tuesday", keep it real and keep it honest, he will be counting down the long minutes till Tuesday.

Ask anyone you know who will be passing through Mumbai to visit him, I know what it's like, a visit from a stranger gets you out of the cells for a little while, you may even get a COLD bottle of water and a cigarette.

If I were passing through Mumbai, I know I would visit, but I know what it's like, one visit, half an afternoon of your time will mean so much to that person. (Though you are best to tell people why he is in there).

And I repeat: -

What he will want more than anything is a visitor.

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peaky

Thanks everyone for your replies and Steven I really appreciate your honesty. To be honest you didn't say anything that I was too suprised by but it's just nice to hear from someone who has first hand experience of jail, and has his freedom to tell the story! His mum and brother are on their way over there now to see him and the embassy have also been visiting him when allowed so he knows the wheels are in motion and are being heavily greased....I shall pass on advise to his mother. We think that he is allowed to have money to buy food from the canteen. Apparently he has met a couple of Germans who are helping him. We are doing everything we possibly can to get him out so please everyone send positive thoughts.

BhuttaJi

Hello Peaky,

So sorry to read of your brothers problems. Best wishes with a (relatively) speedy conclusion to this. My positive thoughts heading his way.

Chin up Bhuttaji

cyberhippie

Nice one Steven I wanted so badly to write what I knew of Arthur Road Prison but I didn't have the heart!!
Peaky our thoughts are with him and you!! Good luck your gonna need it!!

Indianflower

Hi Peaky,

Sorry, I dont know anything about the jail in Mumbai but I did just want to add a message of support. I do hope that things move as quickly as possible for your boyfriend. My thoughts arewith you both

Indianflower

unknown

I am from mumbai and i have spent 2 days in arthur road jail as well as 5 days in a local lock up for something i did not do. i have a british passport as well. i just got out 3 weeks ago and all i can tell you is that the conditions are not that bad but you have to be a strong person inside. if your smart you can sort yourself out and get looked after. if i know what he is in for i could tell you more about how he would be treated and also whats his age. it all matters in there. the conditions are such that you can live but its difficult to adjust.. hopefully he has found some nice people to spend his time with.. you must get in touch with the british consulate.. please e mail me if you want to know anything more. i might be able to give you info as i have been through it.

edwardseco

Wasn't it Mary Tyler that wrote a book on her experience when she got caught up in the Naxalite problem.?