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.
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.
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