Prisons in India
Prisons in India: Mapping Prison Manuals and Measures for Reformation and Decongestion
Published by: The Supreme Court of India
Prepared by: Centre for Research and Planning (CRP), Supreme Court of India
Edition: Revised Edition, November 2025
Abstract
This landmark report, prepared by the Centre for Research and Planning of the Supreme Court of India, offers a critical analysis of the current state of the Indian correctional system. Moving beyond a mere statistical compilation, this document serves as a blueprint for humanizing prisons. It scrutinizes the existing legal architecture—often rooted in colonial-era laws—against the touchstone of constitutional morality and human rights. The report identifies systemic bottlenecks such as overcrowding and archaic prison manuals while proposing actionable reforms focused on rehabilitation, dignity, and the use of technology. It is an essential read for understanding the paradigm shift from "retribution" to "reformation" in the Indian justice system.
What This Report Covers: A Detailed Breakdown
The report is structured into five critical thematic areas, each addressing a specific facet of prison administration and reform.
1. Mapping the Legal Architecture
This section dissects the existing State Prison Manuals to identify regressive provisions.
Combating Stereotypes: The report highlights and condemns the persistence of caste-based division of labour (e.g., assigning cleaning duties to specific castes) and the classification of prisoners based on social status.
Dignity of Labour: It addresses the disparity in wages paid to prisoners, noting that in many states, these wages are significantly lower than the minimum wage, and calls for fair remuneration.
Human Rights: It tackles the dehumanizing practice of manual scavenging within prisons and emphasizes the need to eradicate it completely.
2. Focus on Vulnerable Populations
The Supreme Court's research wing places a spotlight on those who often remain invisible within the system.
Women Prisoners: The report examines menstrual health management, the reproductive rights of female prisoners, and the need for equitable opportunities for reformation beyond gender-stereotyped tasks (like cooking or sewing).
Mental Health: It advocates for mandatory mental health screening at admission, addressing the psychological toll of incarceration, particularly for death row convicts and those suffering from substance abuse.
Prisoners with Disabilities: The text underscores the need for reasonable accommodation and infrastructure to ensure the dignity of prisoners with disabilities.
3. Reformation and After-Care
Moving away from the concept of prisons as mere holding cells, this section explores:
Open and Semi-Open Jails: It advocates for the expansion of open prisons—where prisoners live with minimal security and can work—as a successful model for reintegration.
De-addiction: With a significant number of inmates suffering from substance abuse, the report calls for dedicated de-addiction centers within prisons.
After-Care: It emphasizes that the duty of the state does not end with release; effective after-care and rehabilitation programs are crucial to prevent recidivism.
4. Access to Justice and Legal Aid
This section audits the machinery meant to help prisoners fight their legal battles.
Legal Aid Clinics: It evaluates the functioning of Prison Legal Aid Clinics and the availability of panel lawyers.
Under Trial Review Committees (UTRCs): The report highlights the vital role UTRCs play in decongesting prisons by recommending the release of eligible prisoners.
Bail Reform: Reiterating the judicial philosophy that "Bail is the rule, jail is the exception," it discusses the systemic delays in granting bail and the plight of those unable to furnish bail bonds due to poverty.
5. Technology and The Future
The report explores how digital tools can modernize the system:
e-Prisons: It discusses the integration of prison management with courts and police systems for seamless information flow.
Electronic Monitoring: It critically examines the use of tracking devices for prisoners on parole or leave, weighing the benefits of decongestion against constitutional concerns regarding privacy.
Key Takeaways for Readers
By reading this report, learners, policymakers, and citizens will understand:
The Colonial Hangover: How 19th-century prejudices regarding caste and class still linger in modern prison manuals and why they must be removed.
The Overcrowding Crisis: The severity of prison congestion (occupancy rate of over 131%) and how "undertrial" prisoners make up the vast majority of the population.
The Human Cost: The specific physical and mental health challenges faced by women and marginalized groups behind bars.
The Solution Matrix: That the answer lies not just in building more jails, but in legal reforms, speedy trials, open prisons, and robust technological integration.
This summary is based on the exhaustive research and findings presented in "Prisons in India" (November 2025), a publication by the Centre for Research and Planning, Supreme Court of India.