NEW DELHI: A staggering 70% of prisoners in Indian jails are undertrials, many of whom remain behind bars simply because they cannot afford bail or pay fines, a parliamentary panel has observed. The report, submitted to the Rajya Sabha by the Parliamentary Standing Committee on Home Affairs, highlights an urgent need for systemic reforms to address the issue of prolonged incarceration of undertrials and rising security threats in prisons.
Jails spending more on prisoners than their bail amounts
The panel noted that state prison administrations spend significantly more on housing these prisoners than the bail amounts required for their release. It recommended that states and Union Territories (UTs) establish a dedicated fund, similar to Andhra Pradesh’s ‘Cheyutha Nidhi’, to help indigent prisoners pay their fines and secure release.
Surveillance tech to combat drug smuggling in prisons
The report also flagged the alarming rise in drug smuggling into prisons, urging authorities to implement multi-layered security measures, including:
- X-ray scanners and detection devices at entry points
- Physical searches of visitors and inmates
- Rehabilitation programs, like Assam’s Opioid Substitute Therapy (OST), to de-addict prisoners
‘Ganja, phones, and catapults’: How contraband enters jails
During its review, the panel found that cell phones and narcotics, especially ganja, are among the most smuggled items inside Indian prisons. It cited a startling method used in Tamil Nadu, where smugglers use a catapult to hurl contraband over prison walls.
The committee raised concerns over mobile phones being used by inmates to run criminal operations outside, leading to gang rivalries and compromising prison security. It recommended stricter frisking standards for prison staff and visitors to curb corruption and smuggling.
Can tech reduce crime inside jails?
The panel suggested that introducing e-Mulakat (virtual meetings) and video conferencing for prisoner-family interactions could reduce physical visits, thereby limiting the inflow of illegal items into jails.
With prison overcrowding and security breaches becoming pressing issues, the committee’s report underscores the urgent need for legal and technological interventions to improve prison administration in India.
