Prisons to be known as reform homes, Model Prison Act to be implemented: CM Yogi

Lucknow, 16th June 2023: UP CM Yogi Adityanath emphasised the need to establish prisons as ‘Sudhaar Grah’ (Reform Homes) as he held a meeting to review prison reforms in the state.

He also issued instructions regarding preparing the new Prison Act of the state. He emphasised the need to have Arrangements like security assessment of prisoners, grievance redressal, Prison Development Board, change in behaviour towards prisoners and provision of separate accommodation for women prisoners and transgender etc.

Concerning inmates confined in jail, the Jail Act of 1894 and the Inmates Act of 1900 are still in effect. Both of these acts have been in effect since before the country’s independence, and many of their requirements do not correspond to changing conditions or a rehabilitative mindset for inmates.

The Prison Act of 1894 was enacted to maintain discipline and control over offenders in detention, but we must now focus on reform and rehabilitation. As a result, considering the future, we must enact new legislation.

The Government of India has just produced the Model Prison Act – 2023. This Model Act is quite beneficial in terms of prisoner reform and rehabilitation.