The Supreme Court Today (May 9th) said establishing open jails can be one of the solutions to overcrowding and also address the issue of rehabilitation of prisoners.
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NEW DELHI: The Supreme Court of India today proposed the establishment of open prisons as a dual solution to the chronic issues of overcrowding in jails and the rehabilitation of convicts. The concept, which allows convicts to work outside prison premises during the day and return in the evening, aims to facilitate their reintegration into society by reducing psychological pressures and promoting economic self-sufficiency.
During a hearing concerning jail conditions and prisoner rights, a bench comprising Justices B R Gavai and Sandeep Mehta expressed a firm intention to amplify the implementation of open prisons nationwide, highlighting the successful model currently operating in Rajasthan.
“One of the solutions for overcrowding of the prisons can be establishing open air prisons/camps. The said system is efficiently working in the state of Rajasthan. Apart from addressing the issue of congestion in prison, it also addresses the issue of rehabilitation of prisoners,”
-the bench articulated.
This initiative is seen as a forward-thinking approach to corrections that contrasts sharply with traditional incarceration methods. Open prisons offer a humane alternative that aims to restore rather than alienate, focusing on rehabilitation and smooth societal assimilation of convicts.
The Supreme Court’s discussions also touched on broader systemic improvements, including the development of a uniform e-prison module across the country-a comprehensive jail management system to streamline operations and enhance the effectiveness of the criminal justice system.
Additionally, the court addressed the need for better information dissemination among convicts regarding their legal rights, emphasizing the role of the National Legal Services Authority (NALSA) in ensuring that convicts are aware of their rights to appeal through legal aid.
The court has requested further assistance from NALSA and appointed advocates K Parameshwar and Vijay Hansaria as amicus curiae to aid in these deliberations, with the next hearing scheduled for May 16.
This judicial advocacy for open prisons signals a pivotal shift towards more rehabilitative measures in the Indian penal system, reflecting a growing recognition of the need for humane and constructive approaches to imprisonment.
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