Standing Committee Report Summary | Prison- Conditions, Infrastructure and Reforms

The Standing Committee on Home Affairs, chaired by Mr. Brijlal, submitted a report on September 21, 2023, with several key recommendations for prison reform in India.

• Overcrowding: The committee addressed the issue of overcrowded prisons, particularly in six states, including Uttar Pradesh and Bihar. They recommended the transfer of prisoners from overcrowded facilities to other jails within the same state or in other states through Memorandums of Understanding. The committee suggested using GPS-enabled tracking devices, as seen in Odisha, to monitor prisoners out on bail, with the consent of inmates to address human rights concerns.
• Young Offenders: They called for a clear definition of young offenders and the establishment of borstal schools in states that lack them.
• Women Prisoners: Special attention was recommended for pregnant women, allowing babies born in prison to stay with their mothers until the age of 12.
• Prison Staff: The committee emphasized filling staff vacancies promptly, with a focus on gender diversity in prison-related jobs.
• Bail Funds: They proposed the creation of a fund, similar to 'Cheyutha Nidhi' in Andhra Pradesh, to assist poor prisoners in paying bail amounts.
• Prison Budget: The committee stressed the need for adequate prison funding, with a recommendation to allocate central funds to states that haven't received support in the past five years.
• Transgender Prisoners: Separate infrastructure facilities and the choice of doctors for transgender prisoners were recommended.
• Food Quality: The committee advised gathering prisoner feedback and conducting surprise quality checks on prison food.