NCJ Number
52328
Journal
Indian Journal of Criminology Volume: 6 Issue: 2 Dated: (JULY 1978) Pages: 79-86
Date Published
1978
Length
8 pages
Annotation
SUGGESTIONS FOR REFORMING INDIA'S PRISONS BY REDUCING OVERCROWDING AND BY IMPROVING STAFF, FACILITIES, AND INMATE PROGRAMS ARE OFFERED.
Abstract
THE DISCUSSION OPENS WITH A BRIEF REVIEW OF THE HISTORY OF PRISONS IN INDIA AND OF THE INTEGRATIVE THEORY OF PENOLOGY--A VIEW OF PUNISHMENT THAT TAKES INTO ACCOUNT RETRIBUTION AND DETERRENCE BUT EMPHASIZES CORRECTION, REFORMATION, REHABILITATION, AND RESOCIALIZATION. THE CONCEPT OF THE PRISON AS A PLACE WHERE TREATMENT TAKES PRECEDENCE OVER CUSTODY (ALTHOUGH THE LATTER IS ALSO ESSENTIAL) IS SAID TO BE THE FOUNDATION FOR PRISON REFORM. BECAUSE THE MAIN OBSTACLE TO PRISON REFORM IN INDIA IS OVERCROWDING, IT IS FIRST RECOMMENDED THAT PRISON POPULATONS BE REDUCED BY ESTABLISHING LOCAL CUSTODIAL FACILITIES FOR UNCONVICTED OFFENDERS AND BY USING COMMUNITY TREATMENT ALTERNATIVES TO MINIMIZE SHORT TERM PRISON SENTENCES. IF THESE STEPS ARE TAKEN, THE PRISONS CAN DEVOTE THEIR EFFORTS TO ORGANIZING AND PLANNING FOR LONG TERM INMATES. IMPROVEMENTS IN PRISON BUILDINGS AND GROUNDS ARE URGED, AS ARE BETTER PERSONNEL SELECTION AND TRAINING PRACTICES. THE EVILS OF THE EXISTING CONVICT WARDER SYSTEM, IN WHICH SOME PRISONERS HAVE POWER OVER OTHERS, ARE CITED AS ONE REASON FOR HIRING MORE PRISON STAFF. OTHER RECOMMENDATIONS CONCERN THE DIVERSIFICATION OF PENAL INSTITUTIONS TO ASSURE THE APPROPRIATE SEGREGATION OF MALE AND FEMALE OFFENDERS, YOUTHFUL OFFENDERS AND CHILDREN WHO HAVE NOT ACTUALLY COMMITTED A CRIME, AND HABITUAL AND FIRST TIME OFFENDERS. SCIENTIFIC CLASSIFICATION OF PRISONERS UPON ADMISSION IS RECOMMENDED AS THE BASIS FOR PLANNING, IMPLEMENTING, AND MONITORING INDIVIDUAL TREATMENT PROGRAMS. OTHER RECOMMENDATIONS ARE FOR EXPANDING EDUCATIONAL OPPORTUNITIES IN PRISON, DESIGNING PRISON WORK PROGRAMS TO FACILITATE EMPLOYMENT UPON RELEASE, DEVELOPING OPEN PRISONS AND HALFWAY HOUSES, AND IMPROVING THE QUALITY OF THE PRISON ROUTINE (FOOD, CLOTHING, MEDICAL CARE, RECREATION). THE IMPORTANCE OF MAINTAINING CONTACTS BETWEEN INMATES AND THE COMMUNITY IS NOTED, AND THE PROCESS BY WHICH 'PREMATURE RELEASE' DECISIONS ARE MADE IN INDIA IS DESCRIBED. GREATER EMPHASIS ON PRERELEASE PREPARATION AND COORDINATED AFTERCARE SERVICES IS RECOMMENDED. IT IS POINTED OUT THAT THE ULTIMATE RESPONSIBILITY FOR ACCEPTING AND RESOCIALIZING RELEASED OFFENDERS LIES WITH THE FAMILY AND WITH SOCIETY. THE GOVERNMENT OF INDIA IS URGED TO INCLUDE PRISON REFORMS IN ITS LONG RANGE PLANNING. (LKM)