Supreme Court Seeks Details on Medical Facilities and Vocational Training for Inmates Amid Overcrowding Concerns in Prisons

In response to the challenge of overcrowded prisons and the living conditions of inmates, the Supreme Court of India has requested both the central government and state governments to provide detailed information about the medical facilities available to prisoners and the provision of vocational training for them. The court is currently addressing concerns related to alleged “inhuman conditions” in 1,382 prisons across the country. Additionally, the court has asked for information about the availability of adequate information technology (IT) infrastructure for conducting virtual court proceedings and the rights of family members to visit incarcerated individuals.

During the recent hearing presided over by Justices Hima Kohli and Rajesh Bindal, the bench acknowledged the submission of the sixth, seventh, and eighth preliminary reports, as well as the final synopsis from December of the previous year, provided by the committee appointed by the Supreme Court to address prison reforms. This committee, led by former apex court judge Justice (retd) Amitava Roy, was established in September 2018 to examine prison reform issues, including the problem of overcrowding.

The bench instructed advocate Gaurav Agrawal, acting as an amicus curiae (a friend of the court), to share copies of the reports with legal representatives from both the Union of India and the state governments. The court granted time for the parties to review the reports and offer insights during the next hearing.

While reviewing the terms of reference given to the committee in its September 25, 2018 order, the bench identified additional issues that require attention. These include the availability of medical facilities for inmates, the provision of vocational training within prisons, ensuring sufficient IT infrastructure for virtual court proceedings, and facilitating visitation rights for family members. The court directed the Union of India and the state governments to address these aspects by filing appropriate affidavits through the Director General of Prisons within three weeks, with advance copies provided to the amicus curiae. The court requested the amicus curiae to compile the information for the court’s review during the next hearing.

The bench further specified that legal representatives should provide assistance on topics related to women and children in detention, transgender prisoners, and individuals on death row. The matter has been scheduled for continued hearing on September 26.

In the initial order from September 25, 2018, the Supreme Court committee on prison reforms was tasked with providing recommendations on various issues, including the evaluation of guidelines outlined in the Model Prison Manual of 2016 by states and Union Territories. The committee was also directed to examine overcrowding in prisons, functioning of under trial review committees, access to legal aid, remission, parole, furlough, violence prevention within prisons, and availability of medical facilities. The committee’s insights will play a crucial role in shaping reforms in the prison system.