Context: The Supreme Court on Wednesday said caste-based discrimination of prisoners, segregation of manual work among them according to caste-hierarchy and treatment of inmates from the denotified tribes as “habitual offenders” within the four walls of jails across India is a “very important issue” and needs to be addressed.

The current status of Indian prisons is marked by several challenges :

• Overcrowding: Indian prisons are severely overcrowded, with an occupancy rate of 114% and, in some areas, as high as 277% .This overcrowding leads to poor living conditions and increased health risks for prisoners.
• Prolonged detention of under-trial prisoners: A significant portion of the prison population consists of under-trial detainees, who often wait for extended periods before their trials.This prolonged detention can lead to violations of their rights and negatively impact their mental well-being.
• Unsatisfactory living conditions: Indian prisons often face issues with sanitation, medical staff, and overall living conditions, which can be life-threatening. For example, a special commission of inquiry in 1995 reported that 10,000 inmates in Tihar Central held in appalling conditions, facing overcrowding, poor sanitary facilities, and a shortage of medical staff
• Lack of treatment programs and rehabilitation services: Indian prisons lack adequate treatment programs and rehabilitation services for prisoners, which can help reduce recidivism and improve public safety.These programs are essential for addressing the root causes of crime and preparing prisoners for successful reintegration into society.
• Staff shortage and inadequate training: Indian prisons face staff shortages and insufficient training for prison staff. This can lead to poor management, inadequate supervision, and increased risks for prisoners and staff within the prison facilities.
• Corruption: Corruption is a significant issue within the Indian prison system, which can impact the treatment of prisoners, the administration of justice, and the overall functioning of prisons. Efforts to address corruption are essential for ensuring the rights and well-being of prisoners and the proper functioning of the prison system.

Steps taken:

The Indian government has taken several steps to address the issues of Indian prisons, including overcrowding, prolonged detention of under-trial prisoners, unsatisfactory living conditions, staff shortage, and corruption. Some of these steps are:

• Establishment of the Indian Jail Committee in 1919: This committee aimed to review prison problems in India and made several recommendations for improving the prison system
• Setting up of the Mulla Committee in 1980: The government of India established a committee on jail reform under the chairmanship of Justice A. N. Mulla to review laws, rules, and regulations related to prison management and rehabilitation of offenders
• Transfer of the subject of jails from the center to the control of state governments in 1951: This change allowed state governments to have their own rules for the day-to-day administration of prisons, upkeep, and maintenance of prisoners
• Invitation of UN expert Dr. W.C. Reckless in 1951: The government of India invited Dr. Reckless to undertake a study on prison administration and suggest policy reforms
• Implementation of the Repatriation of Prisoners Act, 2003: This act aims to ensure that prisoners serving their sentences are released and rehabilitated properly after completing their terms
• Release of Model Prison Manual (2016): The government released the Model Prison Manual to provide guidelines for the management and administration of prisons, emphasizing the importance of human rights and rehabilitation programs
• Despite these efforts, it is essential to continue working on improving prison conditions, reducing overcrowding, and providing adequate rehabilitation programs for prisoners in India.