A Supreme Court-appointed panel on prison reforms has unveiled a comprehensive set of recommendations aimed at overhauling the prison system across India. The panel, headed by former Supreme Court judge Justice Amitava Roy (Retd), presented its report on Tuesday, highlighting urgent reforms needed to address various challenges faced by the prison system in the country.
One of the focal points of the panel's recommendations is addressing the issue of unnatural deaths among prisoners, particularly suicides by hanging. The panel found that suicide, particularly by hanging, accounted for a significant number of the 817 unnatural deaths reported in Indian jails between 2017 and 2021. To mitigate this issue, the panel proposed the construction of suicide-proof barracks with collapsible material, which could potentially prevent such tragic incidents.
Furthermore, the report emphasized the need to expand the open prison system. Currently active in only 18 states and one union territory, the panel recommended replicating successful practices from existing open/semi-open prisons across India. This expansion would provide inmates with a more rehabilitative and productive environment.
The panel also suggested the establishment of oversight committees in every state to monitor the functioning of prison departments. These committees would enhance transparency and accountability within the prison system, ensuring that the recommended reforms are implemented effectively.
To address the problem of overcrowding in prisons, the panel endorsed the implementation of National Legal Services Authority (NALSA) guidelines to strengthen the 'Undertrial Review Committee' mechanism. This move aims to expedite legal processes and reduce the burden on already overcrowded prisons.
In response to the issue of violence within prisons, the panel recommended the mandatory segregation of undertrials and convicts. Additionally, it proposed the separation of first-time offenders from hardened criminals among undertrials not only within jails but also during court appearances, hospital visits, and intra-jail movements.
The report also highlighted the inadequate availability of medical care for elderly and sick inmates. It recommended bringing all inmates under the government's health insurance coverage and mandating the issuance of Ayushman cards for both existing and new inmates to ensure proper medical treatment.
The recommendations extended to aspects beyond physical infrastructure. The panel proposed the implementation of video conferencing for judicial proceedings, including extending judicial remand and conducting trials, as well as establishing a robust grievance redressal mechanism to address issues of abuse and harassment of women inmates.
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