The Supreme Court of India issued nationwide directions to expand open prisons, stressing that overcrowded jails running at over 120 per cent capacity violate prisoners’ dignity under Article 21. It directed all States and UTs to strengthen and widen Open Correctional Institutions.
Supreme Court has directed several states and Union Territories (UTs) to provide complete information with regard to the functioning of open prisons; the court was hearing a matter related to congestion in jails. Semi-open or open prisons allow convicts to work outside the premises during the day to earn a livelihood and return in the evening.
Former Supreme Court Justice Madan B. Lokur stressed the need for the judiciary to prioritize bail over incarceration in India. He criticized the diminishing “bail, not jail” principle and highlighted a recent Supreme Court decision affirming the norm. The event also promoted open prisons as a successful model for inmate rehabilitation and reintegration.
