-Ayush Gupta Introduction The long and contentious aspect of solitary confinement has always been a topic of debate in criminal law jurisprudence, which raises serious human rights and legal concerns. Keeping inmates in confinement for prolonged hours without meaningful human contact has been criticized globally for its harmful physiological and psychological effects. This practice is … Continue reading How Judicial Permissiveness Sustains Solitary Confinement in Indian Prisons
Category: Prison Reform
REDEMPTION AND REFORM: ANALYSING THE ‘SECOND CHANCES’ LEGISLATION IN AMERICA’S CRIMINAL JUSTICE LANDSCAPE
-Yash Sharan Introduction In the first half of 2024, the lawmakers of the United States of America (“US”) have taken cognizance of the cases involving prisoners undergoing long-term sentences. For instance, the state of Oklahoma in the US passed a law that would reduce sentences for those criminals who are victims of domestic violence. This … Continue reading REDEMPTION AND REFORM: ANALYSING THE ‘SECOND CHANCES’ LEGISLATION IN AMERICA’S CRIMINAL JUSTICE LANDSCAPE
UNCERTAINTY UNDER-TRIAL: DISCRETION IN DENIAL OF BAIL U/S 436A
-Jugaad Singh INTRODUCTION Overflowing and overburdened prisons are often a consequence of either an increased crime rate or an increased conviction rate. However, in India, the situation is neither. It is the consequence of a delayed judicial process, as more than 75% of the in-mates are under trial prisoners. While the overflow of prisons is … Continue reading UNCERTAINTY UNDER-TRIAL: DISCRETION IN DENIAL OF BAIL U/S 436A
NUTRITION BEHIND BARS: ELIMINATING FOOD AS A MEANS OF PUNISHMENT [Part II]
~By Jugaad Singh Part I of the Blog dealt with the historical context and the legal background pertaining to prison food in India. Part II of the blog will be tackling the introduction of the Modern Prison Manual of 2016 as well as providing a global perspective of the problem along with possible solutions. THE … Continue reading NUTRITION BEHIND BARS: ELIMINATING FOOD AS A MEANS OF PUNISHMENT [Part II]
NUTRITION BEHIND BARS: ELIMINATING FOOD AS A MEANS OF PUNISHMENT [Part I]
~By Jugaad Singh "No one can understand the reality of the prison experience until they've actually walked in the shoes of those who are incarcerated." - Bryan StevensonExecutive Director, Equal Justice Initiative INTRODUCTION Considerations about the quality, quantity and nutritional value of prison food are not something a person who has never been incarcerated loses sleep … Continue reading NUTRITION BEHIND BARS: ELIMINATING FOOD AS A MEANS OF PUNISHMENT [Part I]
A Not So ‘Fair’ & Lovely Criminal System
-Sofia Dash & Ahan Gadkari Introduction The recent Criminal Procedure (Identification) Act, 2022 (“CP Act”) has spurred nationwide debates amongst human rights activists and the government officials. The CP Act, which aimed at replacing the archaic Identification of Prisoners Act, 1920,permits law enforcement officers to collect identifiable information of all convicts, arrested persons, and detainees, … Continue reading A Not So ‘Fair’ & Lovely Criminal System
Addressing the Right of Female Prisoners (to Bleed): Menstrual Management Behind the Bars
-Ms. Lovleen Sharrma & Sakshi Komal Dubey Introduction As per the Prison Statistics India Report, 2021 the figure of prison inmates in women’s jails adds up to 3,808. The Women In Prison Report, 2018 which sought to study the condition of women prisoners highlighted that the prison population increased drastically, and had therefore created challenges … Continue reading Addressing the Right of Female Prisoners (to Bleed): Menstrual Management Behind the Bars
Some Thoughts after Diving into Prisons Data and Emerging on the Other Side
-By Abhinav Sekhri The National Crime Records Bureau [NCRB] runs the annual Crime in India reports as well as the Prison Statistics India reports. Both get their yearly moment in the sun when, around their publication, news stories with attractive pie charts get published with infographics to show that an unearthly number of cases are pending … Continue reading Some Thoughts after Diving into Prisons Data and Emerging on the Other Side
The state of undertrial incarceration in India
-By Vidushi Gupta Introduction Prisons and correctional facilities are an essential component of the criminal justice system in India. However, very little attention is paid to the state of the Indian prison system. Particularly neglected is the group comprising undertrials within these prisons. The issue of undertrial prisoners in India first came to light in … Continue reading The state of undertrial incarceration in India
Open Jails for Women: The Disguised Discrimination
By Aditya Saraswat Introduction The number of women prisoners is constantly rising in India; however, the male-centric prison system in the country is denying some crucial rights to them which are extremely necessary for their reformation. One such right is the access to Open Jails. There is apparent discrimination in the selection procedure of inmates … Continue reading Open Jails for Women: The Disguised Discrimination
Death Penalty under Section 31A of NDPS Act, 1985.
By Mehar Kaur Arora No individual has the right to take the life of another unless done in accordance with the due process of law and in the best interest of the general public. The Narcotic Drugs and Psychotropic Substances, Act, 1985 (NDPS Act) has been criticised heavily for its stringent punishments, including that of … Continue reading Death Penalty under Section 31A of NDPS Act, 1985.
COVID-19 – XVI: Monitoring the Prisoners Beyond the Prisons: GPS Tracking for Interim Bails/Paroles
By Bodhisattwa Majumder and Ritika Acharya A pandemic does not discriminate on the basis of class, community or character and strikes every section of the society equally. However, the precautions one can take against the virus are highly prejudiced and biased based on an individual’s financial, social and geographical position in the society. While society … Continue reading COVID-19 – XVI: Monitoring the Prisoners Beyond the Prisons: GPS Tracking for Interim Bails/Paroles









