Centre Finalises 'Model Prisons Act' To Reform Jail Management, Skill Development Of Inmates

According to the statement, the current legislation pertaining to prisons, known as the 'Prisons Act, 1894', dates back to the pre-independence era and is almost 130 years old.

The primary objective of the Act is to ensure that offenders are held in detention and that prisons are characterized by a strict adherence to discipline and order.. (File Photo)

After introducing a model prison manual in 2016, the Union government has finalised a comprehensive ‘Model Prisons Act, 2023’ by amending the British-era law. According to an official press statement, the Model Prisons Act aims at reforming prison management and will ensure the transformation of inmates into law-abiding citizens and their rehabilitation in society. 

According to the statement, the current legislation pertaining to prisons, known as the 'Prisons Act, 1894', dates back to the pre-independence era and is almost 130 years old.

Under leadership of Prime Minister Narendra Modi and the decisive guidance of Union Home Minister Amit Shah, Ministry of Home Affairs (MHA) finalises a comprehensive ‘Model Prisons Act, 2023’, which may serve as a guiding document for the states: MHA pic.twitter.com/jY4n41PBkp

— ANI (@ANI) May 12, 2023

The primary objective of the Act is to ensure that offenders are held in detention and that prisons are characterized by a strict adherence to discipline and order. Rehabilitation and reform of incarcerated individuals are not addressed in the current legislation.

"With the objective of holistically providing guidance and addressing the gaps in the existing Prisons Act, including the use of technology in prison management, making provisions for grant of parole, furlough, remission to prisoners to encourage good conduct, special provision for women/ transgender inmates, physical and mental well-being of prisoners and focus on the reformation and rehabilitation of inmates, etc. the Ministry of Home Affairs, under the able guidance of Home Minister Amit Shah, has finalised a comprehensive ‘Model Prisons Act, 2023’, which may serve as a guiding document for the States, and for adoption in their jurisdiction," reads the official statement. 

Features of Model Prisons Act 2023: 

1. Provision for security assessmentand segregation of prisoners, individual sentence planning.
2. Grievance redressal, prison development board, attitudinal change towards prisoners.
3. Provision of separate accommodation for women prisoners, transgender, etc.
4. Provision for use of technology in prison administration with a view to bring transparency in prison administration.
5. Provision for video conferencing with courts, scientific and technological interventions in prisons, etc.
6. Provision of punishment for prisoners and jail staff for use of prohibited items like mobile phones etc. in jails.
7. Provision regarding establishment and management of high security jail, open jail (open and semi open), etc.
8. Provision for protecting the society from the criminal activities of hardened criminals and habitual offenders, etc.
9. Provision for legal aid to prisoners, provision of parole, furlough and premature release etc. to incentivise good conduct.
10. Focus on vocational training and skill development of prisoners and their reintegration into the society.