Home Ministry Drafting Second Phase Of Prison Modernisation

Home Ministry Drafting Second Phase Of Prison Modernisation Dated : 1 Mar 2009, 1138 hrs IST, Source : PTI NEW DELHI: Text: Considering the "appalling condition" of prisons in the states, the Union Home Ministry has initiated the process of formulating the second phase of their modernisation. The move comes in the wake of demands of various states for granting further financial assistance for prison infrastructure and correctional administration, a senior Home Ministry official said. He said, "A much larger investment in this sector was required considering the appalling condition of prisons in the states, paucity of funds with the state governments and the dire need for improving the conditions of prisons, prisoners and prison staff." Initially, a Rs 1,800-crore scheme for modernisation of prison administration was launched by the Home Ministry in 2002-03 and was meant to be completed in five years. Since it started two years late, it was extended till 2008-09 with additional funds. To ease pressure on jails, the Home Ministry has given approval for creation of 1,562 Fast Track Courts up to March 31, 2010, the official said, adding that so far over 10 lakh cases have been disposed of. The measures taken for overall prison reforms include insertion of a new section in the CrPC which provides that an undertrial prisoner in detention for a period extending to half of the maximum imprisonment period for the alleged offence, be released on personal bond with or without sureties. The prisoner should not, however, be accused of committing an offence for which death has been prescribed as one of the punishments, the official said. He said the CrPC has also been amended to provide that if a person is accused of a bailable offence and cannot furnish surety, the court shall release him on a personal bond without sureties. A system of plea bargaining has also been introduced where an accused would be entitled to a reduced sentence if he admits to the crime and agrees to compensate the victim. "Elaborate measures have been taken by the Home Ministry to monitor the implementation of the scheme," he said, adding that the Ministry has prepared and circulated a Model Prison Manual to all states. While the Chandigarh-based Institute of Correctional Administration offers various courses on gender sensitisation, prison administration and human rights in prison management, the Bureau of police Research and Development (BPR&D) offers training courses to officers on prison reforms. The "pathetic and unhygienic condition" of prisons in the country because of overcrowding was highlighted in the report of the Mulla Committee in 1983, Kapoor Committee in 1986 and Iyer Committee in 1987, besides some parliamentary committees. These panels have recommended replacement of dilapidated prisons, improvement of living conditions, provision for medical and psychiatric services, vocational training and gainful employment. Diversification of educational programmes, improvement in the condition of women prisoners, segregation of prisoners, and provisions of free legal aid and speedy trials, including humane and dignified treatment with prisoners, have also been suggested by these committees. Keeping in mind the paucity of funds faced by states, the Kapoor Committee had especially emphasised the need to provide central assistance to states under the scheme. The financial assistance provided to state governments are meant for construction of additional jails to reduce overcrowding, repair and renovation of existing jails, improvement in sanitation and water supply and better living accommodation for prison staff. Against a total released amount of Rs 1,756.56 crore up to December 2008, states utilised Rs 1,375.53 crore, which is 78.3 per cent of the total amount, Home Ministry sources said.

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