The Home Ministry has amended prison rules to prevent caste-based discrimination and redefine habitual offenders. The changes, following a Supreme Court order, aim to ensure equality, fairness, and humane treatment of prisoners. Key changes include the introduction of Section 55(A) and the prohibition of manual scavenging.
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The Home Ministry amended prison rules to prevent caste-based discrimination and redefine habitual offenders.
The Union Home Ministry amended the prison manual rules following the Supreme Court's order on October 3, 2024.
The Court highlighted caste-based discrimination among prisoners and inconsistencies in the treatment of habitual offenders across states. The amendments seek to address these issues and ensure equality, fairness, and the humane treatment of prisoners.
States have been directed to align their prison manuals with this new standard.
Prohibition of caste-based discrimination: Prison authorities are required to ensure that there is no caste-based discrimination or segregation in prisons. All duties and work assignments must be allotted without bias.
Introduction of Section 55(A): A new section under the Model Prisons and Correctional Services Act, 2023, prohibits caste-based discrimination within prisons.
Manual scavenging prohibition: The provisions of the Prohibition of Employment as Manual Scavengers and their Rehabilitation Act, 2013, now apply to prisons. Manual scavenging and hazardous cleaning of sewers or septic tanks are banned.
Address caste-based discrimination
The amendments clearly prohibit the classification or segregation of prisoners based on caste.
Prison authorities are mandated to ensure equal treatment, particularly in the assignment of duties and work.
The addition of Section 55(A) in the Model Prisons and Correctional Services Act strengthens the legal framework against caste-based discrimination.
Habitual offenders
The amendments provide a unified definition of habitual offenders that applies to individuals convicted twice in five years for different offences, with sentences that were not overturned.
The amendments made in the prison manual rules aim to eliminate caste-based discrimination and prohibit manual scavenging in prisons to uphold the constitutional rights and human rights of all prisoners.
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