Short Essay on Prison Rules !
Prison administration being a state subject the State governments have framed Prison rules under the Prison Act which are more or less similar with slight modification here and there keeping in view the local conditions. These Rules invariably provide that:—
1. Every prison shall maintain a Register of prisoners with numbered pages in which shall be recorded information concerning identity of prisoners, reason for his commitment and authority therefore, and also the day and hour of his entry and release.
ADVERTISEMENTS:
2. No person shall be lodged in the prison without a valid commitment order.
3. Different categories of prisoners shall be kept in separate institutions or parts of institutions taking into account their age, sex, criminal record, the legal reason for their detention and the necessities of their treatment. Thus,
(a) Male and female prisoners shall be, as far as possible, lodged in separate institutions.
(b) Under trials should be kept segregated from the convicted prisoners.
ADVERTISEMENTS:
(c) Persons imprisoned for non-payment of debt and other civil prisoners should be kept separate from other convicts who are imprisoned by reason of criminal offence.
(d) Young prisoners (Juveniles) shall not be kept in prison, instead they shall be sent to Juvenile Homes etc.
4. The accommodation provided for use of prison inmates and dormitories shall meet the minimum requirement of space, health, light, ventilation etc. with adequate sanitation installations and bathing/clothing facilities.
5. There must be adequate supply of food, water and medical treatment for prisoners. Each prison must have at least one medical practitioner to look after the health and hygienic conditions of the prisoners.
ADVERTISEMENTS:
6. Adequate facilities for physical exercise and entertainment should be available in the prison.
7. In women’s prison institution, there should be special accommodation for all necessary pre-natal and post-natal care and treatment. They may be provided facility to keep their babies with them during custody.
8. There should be a ban on instruments of restraint such as hand-cuffs, chains, iron bars etc. as a measure of possibility of prisoner’s escape or their transfer and transportation for court attendance.
9. Prisoners may be allowed to meet with their family, relatives and reputable friends at regular intervals under the supervision of jail guards.
10. Adequate educational and library facilities should be available in prison as also the vocational training programs for the prisoners.
11. Adequate arrangement should be made for protection of prisoner’s property while they are in jail.
12. Periodical inspection should be carried out.