The Bureau of Police Research and Development (BPR&D) held an influential National Conference in New Delhi recently, meditating on the subject of ‘Criminal Activities and Radicalization in Jails: Vulnerability of Inmates and Jail Staff and their Protection.’ Major objectives of the two-day conference were to observe vulnerabilities at an individual level, comprehend facets of radicalization, formulate security norms for prison staff, and provide a platform for correctional personnel.
Correctional Administration and Prison Reforms
The conference saw emphasis on “Correctional Administration” as a critical facet of Prison reforms. This strategic program readies individuals to manage and plan institutional facilities and rehabilitation programs for prisoners, whether in the public or private sectors. Vital elements under Correctional Administration include welfare programs for convicts and undertrials, reformation post-release, and community engagement, all aimed towards using prison as a center of reformation.
Challenges & Issues Discussed
Key challenges discussed during the conference comprise the intensification of sufferings during imprisonment, rehabilitation of convicts into society, overcrowded jails, large numbers of undertrial prisoners, insufficient prison infrastructure, criminal activities and radicalization in jails, securing women prisoners and their children, and the struggle over funding and staffing for proper prison administration.
Prisoner Rights in India
Respecting the “Right to Life” as a Fundamental Right, Article 21 of the Indian Constitution indicates that prison conditions should not amount to an additional punishment. Though imprisonment costs the criminal his liberty and certain other rights such as freedom of movement, it cannot suppress the convict’s human rights and fundamental freedoms.
Overview of Prison Administration in India
As directed by Article 39(A) of the Indian Constitution, Equal Justice and Free Legal Aid are granted to the poor. Prisons being a state subject, their modernization process is handled by the respective State Governments. The Supreme Court of India, through various judgements, has presented three core principles to guide the prison administration: A person in prison does not become a non-person; he is entitled to all human rights within the confinement restrictions; there is no justification for intensifying the suffering inherent in incarceration.
Modernization Initiatives
The Ministry of Home Affairs aids States/UTs in implementing the E-Prisons Project and has released the Model Prison Manual, both aimed at modernizing and making prison administration more efficient.
| Initiative | Purpose |
|---|---|
| E-Prisons Project | To introduce efficiency in prison management through digitization and supplement the Prisoner Information Management system (PIMS), providing a centralized approach to recording and managing prisoner information. |
| Model Prison Manual | Enlists Legal Aid and provides detailed information about the legal services available to prison inmates. It’s intended to assist undertrial prison inmates with free legal services. |
National Legal Services Authority (NALSA) Initiative
Further complementing these efforts, NALSA launched a web application to facilitate the undertrial prisoners by providing them with free legal services, demonstrating another crucial step towards amplifying the support system for inmates.
