Unlocking Hope: How Prisons Can Heal, Not Just Punish | Sunil kumar Gupta | TEDxShivajiCollege
Sunil Kumar Gupta Sir—criminal justice specialist and star of Netflix's Black Warrant—comes to the TEDx stage to show us what life in overcrowded Indian prisons is like, where 82% of the inmates are awaiting trial and most belong to underprivileged, marginalized groups. He gives us a dramatic outline of how overcrowded cells, absence of legal representation, and entrenched social prejudices lock the prisoners in a circle of fear and insecurity. Then he shares inspiring stories of transformation: prisoners becoming calm through meditation, learning to become skilled as carpenters and tailors, and lifting one another up as peer mentors. Based on decades of hands‑on experience, Gupta Sir demonstrates how enhancing living conditions, providing skills training and education, and engaging in community partnerships can transform prisons into centers of true rehabilitation. With his unflinching commitment—working in some of the most difficult environments—his path teaches us that a single person's passion can ignite change anywhere. His presentation will motivate us to have faith that, regardless of how closed down a system appears to be, hope and humanity can always prevail. Sunil Kumar Gupta is a former Indian prison official renowned for his extensive tenure at Tihar Jail, one of Asia's largest prisons. He began his career at Tihar in 1981, leaving a position with the Indian Railways in search of greater challenges, despite familial concerns about the institution's reputation. Throughout his approximately 35-year service, Gupta witnessed and participated in significant events that shaped both the prison's history and India's criminal justice system. He was present during the assassination of Prime Minister Indira Gandhi in 1984 and oversaw the executions of several high-profile inmates, including Maqbool Bhat and Afzal Guru. This talk was given at a TEDx event using the TED conference format but independently organized by a local community. Learn more at https://www.ted.com/tedx
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