The Ministry of Home Affairs (MHA) has recently issued guidelines to states and Union Territories, instructing them to modernise their prison infrastructure under the Modernisation of Prisons Project. This initiative is crucial as prisons constitute an integral component of the country’s Criminal Justice System. Prisons shoulder significant responsibility not only for confining offenders but also their reformation and societal reintegration through various correctional programs.
Current Challenges in India’s Prison Systems
Three primary structural constraints currently plague Indian prisons: overcrowding, understaffing, and underfunding. These issues often lead to violent clashes within the prisons, underscoring the urgent need for modernising the nation’s prison system.
About the Modernisation of Prisons Project
To address these challenges, the Government of India has resolved to financially assist States and UTs through the Modernisation of Prisons Project. The project aims at leveraging modern security equipment to increase jail security and facilitate prisoner reformation and rehabilitation via correctional administration programs. The project’s duration extends over five years, starting from 2021 till 2026.
Funding and Implementation Strategy of the Project
The Central Government will extend aid to the respective States and UTs for implementing the project. The Ministry of Home Affairs will allocate funds based on numerous factors such as the number of prisons, prisoners, jail staff in a State or UT. A Steering Committee is responsible for deciding the funding proposal for the project’s implementation.
Coverage and Objectives of the Project
The project covers all States and Union Territories and includes diverse prison types such as Central Jails, District Jails, Sub-Jails, Women Jails, Open Jails, Special Jails and more. The project’s objectives comprise addressing existing security gaps in jails, providing state-of-the-art security equipment, and strengthening the jail security system. It also focuses on changing the mindset of prison officials through training and introducing suitable programs for skill development and rehabilitation of inmates.
Other Related Government Initiatives
The Modernisation of Prisons Project is not a standalone initiative. Other government initiatives also contribute to the same cause. The Modernization of Prisons scheme was introduced in 2002-03 to improve the conditions of prisons, prisoners and prison personnel. The E-Prisons project was developed to bring efficiency in prison management through digitisation. The Model Prison Manual 2016 provides detailed information about the legal services available to prison inmates. The National Legal Services Authority (NALSA) aims to establish a nationwide uniform network for offering free and competent legal services to society’s weaker sections.
