“Prisons are an important and integral part of the criminal justice system as they not only play a vital role in detaining criminals but also help in the process of reformation and reintegration with the society,” said the MHA’s communication. Is.
Providing five years grant-in-aid to States/UTs for modernization of prisons, the Ministry of Home Affairs emphasized on the use of “modern security equipments to enhance the security of prisons”. Recently, Parliament approved the Criminal Procedure (Identity) Act, 2022, which empowers authorities to collect biometric and physical measurements of people convicted, arrested or detained. Officials said the rules of the law are likely to be notified by next month.
According to the Ministry of Home Affairs, the modernization project will include Central Jail, District Jail, Sub Jail, Women’s Jail, Open Jail and Special Jail. Among the proposed upgrades are video conference facilities that could be used for virtual production and testing of high-risk prisoners before courts, body-worn cameras or impromptu screenings to capture moments of aggression and violence by prisoners. Similarly, baggage scanners and jamming solutions can be installed to prevent smuggling of banned items and interception of mobile and internet calls.
“The jail administration can use this fund to send correctional and behavioral experts to jail once or twice a week,” the home ministry said. At the central level, the project will be monitored by a committee headed by a Joint Secretary level officer of the Ministry of Home Affairs, while at the state level, the committee will be headed by DG/IG Prisons. “The MHA will provide funds to the states on the basis of number of prisons, number of prisoners, number of prison staff. The funding proposal will be decided by the Steering Committee constituted for the implementation of the project,” the letter said.
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