Yerwada Central Jail

Yerwada Central Jail (also known as Yerawada Central Jail) is a noted high-security jail in Yerwada, Pune, in Maharashtra. This is the largest jail in the state of Maharashtra, and also one of the largest prisons in South Asia, housing over 3,600 prisoners (2005) spread over various barracks and security zones, besides an open jail just outside its premises. Many well known individuals including Mahatma Gandhi and Veer Savarkar have been jailed here.

Overview

The campus is spread over 512 acres, holds over 3,600 prisoners and is one of the largest prisons in South Asia. Within the campus, the main high security jail is protected by four high walls and is divided into various security zones and barracks it even has egg-shaped cells meant for high-security prisoners. It has been known for overcrowding and poor living conditions after news reports in 2003 lead to Maharashtra State Human Rights Commission (MHRC) issuing a notice.

History

Yerwada Central Jail was built in 1871 by the British, when it was outside the city limits of Pune.

Yerwada

Yerwada  pronunciation  (alternatively Yerawada or sometimes Yeraoda) is a neighbourhood of the city of Pune in the state of Maharashtra, India. Before the British Raj Yerwada was known as ‘Yeraoda’, but the old name is still sometimes used today. Yerwada is one of the most densely populated area in Pune. This place is located at the beginning of Ahmednagar highway and also on the way to old Pune Airport at Lohegaon. This place lies between Viman Nagar and Koregaon Park and can be reached after crossing Mula-Mutha River through Yerwada Bridge from Bund Garden.

Demographics

As of 2001 India census Yerwada has an approximate population of 337,040.

Geography

Yerwada shares borders with:

History

The central prison of Pune—which is one of the oldest prisons in India, having been built in nineteenth century—is situated in Yerwada. Kasturba Gandhi Smiriti Mandir, which stands in a beautiful garden that spreads over 6.5 hectares of land, is situated across the river in Yerwada. The ashes of Kasturba Gandhi, wife of Mahatma Gandhi, are kept in this memorial. Mental asylum of Pune is also located at Yerwada