NCJ Number
93724
Date Published
1983
Length
13 pages
Annotation
Unity in diversity characterizes the broad framework of the correctional system in India.
Abstract
Under the Constitution of India, which is Federal in structure, corrections management is a State responsibility; consequently, each State has developed its own corrections system. The Federal Government provides guidance to the States in an effort to bring corrections to a uniformly high quality throughout the States. Almost every corrections reform committee in various States has emphasized the importance of staff training if the quality of corrections is to be upgraded. Training for the security staff in the States is provided at the central prisons or at specially organized training institutes within the States. Since the small number of executive staff makes their training at the State level financially impractical, regional training institutes should be established to executive and supervisory staff. The release of offenders under supervision is provided for in both Federal and State statutes. Probation is permitted, and the release of adult offenders from custody, either temporarily during the period of their incarceration or permanently as a premature release, is governed by different State statutes. Vocational training is accepted as a basic element of any correctional system in India. The prison industries that exist in India are a combination of commercial establishments and training centers. Incentives in the industries include wages, remission in sentences, and improved living conditions. Inmate classification in India is primarily intended to separate hardened criminals from the novices, so as to reduce the likelihood of further criminalization while in prison. There are plans to use classification to facilitate a systematic and scientific treatment of offenders according to needs identified in the diagnostic/classification process.