He is a recipient of President's medal for meritorious service on 26th January of 2000. He was born on 9th of February 1954 to Sri.S.M.Abbai and Smt.Bhaageerathi S Abbai in a village, Jaalikop of Belagaum District. He completed his B.Sc from R.L.Science Institute, Belgaum. He is a graduate of Law from R.L.Law College, Belgaum. He took his KPSC examination successfully and got appointed as Assistant Superintendent of Prisons in Belgaum as a probationary officer. He underwent the ATI training for sixteen weeks. He finished one-year training course at R.I.C.A. Vellore. He handled the case of Charles Shobharaj, the notorious international criminal. He was transferred to Gulbarga as Superintendent of Prison on promotion. He had undertaken a lot of reformatory works like digging an open well, development of dry land by planting thousands of saplings and built a barge for storage of rain water, all with the help of prisoners

In 1988 he was transferred to Bangalore. Within a year he was transferred to Bellary. He undertook lot of development works like digging an open well with size stone masonry. He built a compound wall using waste materials along with a garden. He served long at Bellary.

I interviewed him at Mysore as he is working here as Superintendent of Central Prison.

Here are the excerpts of our talks:

Q1. Sir, what made you to enter this profession?

A. Actually I had no interest in taking this profession in the beginning. But later on, I thought I can serve the society better if the job is taken seriously as most of the inmates of the prisons are completely discarded by the society and even after their release they will not be entertained by the people wholeheartedly. So here is a chance for an hard working and honest officer to reform them and bring them back to the main stream, thus giving them also a chance to lead an honorable life.

Q2. Can you please narrate a memorable incidence occurred during your service?

A. There are lots of incidences but I will quote one. Once it was arranged to cut a tree. A prisoner was cutting one of the branches while some 20-30 prisoners were sitting under the tree. The man who was cutting did not care to warn the sitters and all of a sudden the branch came down. At that time I rushed and gave my shoulders and thus saved them.

Q3. Generally the society has a misconception about jails. Why is it so?

A. Here in Mysore prison I have taken some cultural activities like histrionics. We have enacted two dramas viz., "Maranayaka" and "Rakthakshi" with the help of Rangayana. Only prisoners participated in that. We have built a "Dhyana Mandhira", where "Raja yoga" classes will be conducted for the prisoners everyday. Thanks for the kind co-operation of Vikasana Samsthe, Lion's Club and Prajapitha Brahma Kumari Ishwariya Vidyakendra.

Even while I was in Bangalore I encouraged the inmates to take up computer courses. Thanks for the co-operation of Sterlite Foundation, Mumbai. For the first time it was introduced in Karnataka and 3 batches have already come out successfully.

I introduced a Public addressing system while I was in Bangalore. A regular medical check up to detect aids and other contagious diseases was taken up with the help of Rotary Club, Bangalore. Even the eye camps were arranged. Once in a month a dental check up was taken up with the help of M.S. Ramaiaha Dental College. The famous Late G.V. Athri gave training in Sugama Sangeetha.

To make the inmates to have their own earnings they will be given training in Carpentry, Carpet making and other such works so that while they go out they can make an honorable living. Even prison panchayaths were established and election were conducted for every 6 months.

Q5. People generally thing that with out greasing the hands of the authorities it is impossible to meet an inmate. What do you say?

A. Unfortunately it is true to a little extent. To avoid that we often change the lower staff. Even jailors will be changed frequently. If there is any complaint even now under my jurisdiction one can directly come and contact me so that I can take proper action.

Q6. As you know there is a technically advanced system in Hyderabad where in with out bringing an accused to the court the procedures can be conducted there itself. Is there any such proposal to be introduced here also?

A. It has been reported to the Government and it is under consideration

Q7. When compared to prisons in western countries what are the drawbacks here?

A. It cannot be compared, as the financial conditions are totally different.

Q8. There is an allegation that the rich can escape from Rigorous Imprisonment. What do you say?

A. No such things. I have not noticed such things in my career.

Q10. Some under world gangsters opt to stay in Mysore prison thinking that they can get maximum protection. Is it a fact?

A. That is not the fact. For administration convenience and to avoid gang wars inside the prison we often shift the prisoners to different jails. Nothing more than that.

Q11.It is known that those who can afford will get their foods from out side. What do you say?

A. For those who are under trials there is a provision that they can get their food from their homes. Even that will be checked thoroughly and sent in. But for convicts no such provision is there. Outside food will not be allowed.

After having an absorbing interview with B.S. Abbai I came out thinking that if such sincere and honest officers are allowed to work freely they can bring lot of changes in the attitude of criminals and even though the crimes may not be completely eradicated it can be brought down to a considerable point.

Wishing him a great success in his endeavor of reforming the inmates I came out.

Correspondent for OKC.