“Open Prisons Push”: Jharkhand High Court Orders Committee to Tackle Jail Overcrowding

The Jharkhand High Court has directed the State to form a committee to explore setting up Open Correctional Institutions to reduce prison overcrowding. The move follows Supreme Court of India guidelines promoting reform-based prison systems across India.

Supreme Court Flags ‘Very Serious Issue’ as Open Prisons Lie Empty Amid Overcrowded Jails

The Supreme Court said the underuse of open correctional institutions is a “very serious issue” even as prisons across states remain overcrowded. The Court plans to issue a detaailed mandate after noting states’ poor response on utilising open prisons.