V-17013/11/2022-PR
Government of India
Ministry of Home Affairs
****
Women Safety Division, 2nd Floor,
Major Dhyan Chand National Stadium,
India Gate Circle, New Delhi-110001
May 2, 2022
To
1. The ACS/Principal Secretary (Home) of all States and UTs
2. DG/IG (Prisons) of all States/UTs
Sub: Measures for effective Prison Administration and strengthening security arrangements in prisons, etc.
Sir/Madam,
Given the importance of Prisons in the Criminal Justice System, it is the constant endeavour of the Government- of India -to—share the latest guiding principles, best practices, directions of the Supreme Court and recommendations of the Parliamentary Standing Committees, etc. on efficient Prison Administration, with the States and UTs. The Model Prison Manual, 2016, forwarded to all States and UTs in May 2016, was also a step in this direction and was aimed at bringing uniformity in the basic principles governing the jails of the country. Despite constant follow up by the Ministry of Home Affairs, many States are yet to confirm the status of adoption of the Model Prison Manual, 2016 in their jurisdictions. States and UTs are requested to expedite the same.
2. As part of the continuous process of sharing guidance with the States and UTs, for strengthening the prison administration and ensuring the security of prisons etc., the following suggestions are shared with the States and UTs for adoption and implementation:
a) Medical facilities in jail hospitals/dispensary may be strengthened and improved in such a manner that reduces the requirement of referral of inmates outside the prison complex. Psychological assessment of inmates by competent medical professionals may be encouraged to reduce depression in prison inmates and provide them with a positive outlook in life.
b) Assessment of inmates by Psychologists and Correctional Experts may be done wherever necessary for studying the stress and behavioural issues of inmates and appropriate programs may be prescribed for them.
c) Training of Prison and Correctional staff plays a significant role in the efficient management of Prisons. States and UTs may identify/establish suitable Training Institutes for providing training to Prison personnel on varied aspects of prisons and correctional administration on regular basis.
d) Prison staff may be encouraged to make use of innovative methods for better prison administration and may also be provided appropriate upskilling in this regard. Non-habitual criminals among the prisoners should be trained to impart training to other prisoners.
e) State Governments and Prison authorities should take effective steps to prevent prisons from becoming breeding ground for anti-national activities, for which regular inspection of prisons may be conducted. The inmates may also be motivated to leave the life of crime and become responsible citizens of the nation.
f) To discourage complacency and corrupt practices in Prisons, Prison staff may be rotated on a regular basis. Inter-Jail (and not Intra-Jail) transfer of staff every two years is considered desirable.
g) Unnecessary movement of jail staff in and out of the jail should be restricted and controlled effectively, for which proper entry and exit registers of jail staff may be maintained.
h) The Jail structure and periphery wall of all Jails may be inspected, and to the extent possible, it may be ensured that the distance between the outer wall and wall of the jail ward/complex are designed in such a manner that incidents of throwing contraband items from outside the jail is not possible.
i) Background of NGOs involved with prison activities may be verified on periodic basis. Appropriate oversight may also be kept on the literature available in prison libraries to ensure that inmates are not influenced negatively.
j) Effective jamming solutions with the use of modern day advances in technology may be ensured to restrict illegal access/use of mobile phones by inmates.
k) First time offenders and repeat offenders may be segregated and should be housed in separate wards/prison complex with a view to ensure that habitual offenders are not able to negatively influence the first time offenders.
Yours faithfully,
(Arun Sobti)
Deputy Secretary (PR & ATC)
Phone: 2307 5297
Email: dspr.atc@mha.gov.in
