Azad

Offering a second chance to first time petty offenders

Goal

Prisoners & released prisoners are free from a life of crime and are successfully reintegrated into the society.

In Mumbai, a hidden and vulnerable population exists – the thousands of under-trials trapped in prisons, detached from loved ones and often losing hope of a normal life. Rooted in complex societal issues, petty offenses, the catalyst for many incarcerations, stem from poverty, limited education, scarce vocational skills, and a lack of employment opportunities. Factors such as violence in homes, dysfunctional families, emotional challenges, and mental instability contribute to the cycle of offenses, often pushing individuals towards crime due to bad company.

Inside prisons, many petty offenders lack legal knowledge and family connections, leading to prolonged confinement and exposure to criminal influences. Overcrowding exacerbates their struggles, resulting in prevalent health challenges like skin infections. Families endure their own hardships, grappling with social stigma and deprivation if the incarcerated member was the sole breadwinner.

Project Azad addresses these multifaceted issues comprehensively. Legal aid interventions provide crucial support in navigating the complex legal system, ensuring fair chances at justice. Rehabilitation efforts focus on breaking the cycle of crime by addressing root causes such as poverty and lack of education.

Reintegration interventions play a pivotal role in restoring individuals to society. Emergency support to families of prisoners and long-term assistance to released individuals counter social stigma, ensuring a smoother transition to normal life. Medical interventions, including on-site medical camps within prisons, address health challenges, while initiatives like Adult Literacy Courses, Vocational Training, Stress Management, and mentorship support under-trials and their families.

Azad’s holistic vision recognizes that lasting transformation requires addressing legal, social, and health dimensions. Their efforts exemplify a commitment to positive change, reaching out to confined individuals and offering a lifeline through legal aid, rehabilitation, and reintegration. Azad is rewriting the narrative for under-trials, providing a chance at redemption and a path toward becoming contributing members of society.

1055 men, 500 women and 25 children were served through the Azad project.

Sponsor the rehabilitation and reintegration expenses of a prisoner seeking a fresh start

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