NCJ Number
100967
Journal
Social Defence Volume: 20 Issue: 77 Dated: (July 1984) Pages: 25-29
Date Published
1986
Length
5 pages
Annotation
The 1942 Orissa Province (India) jail manual is outdated, particularly in the areas of inmate classification, inmate transfers, and the jail superintendent's discretion to discipline inmates for rule violations.
Abstract
Inmates are classified as nonhabitual and habitual offenders with good education and high socioeconomic status (classes A and B respectively), and all other inmates are placed in class C. Inmates in classes A and B receive better facilities and services than those in class C. The sentencing court classifies the offender. This system discriminates against the poor and is unrelated to an inmate's offense. At the very least, poor inmates should also be classified as habitual and nonhabitual. Classification should be done scientifically by appropriately trained persons. Jail transfers are undertaken without regard to the impact this will have on an inmate's visits from family members. The manual should be changed to consider this. Also, the manual should be translated into Oriya and made available free to the inmates. Jail superintendents should not have the discretion to discipline inmates for rule violations. All such charges should be referred to an appellate court. 15 references.