23 Sep Report on Status of Undertrials
This article covers “Daily Current Affairs” and the Topic details “Report on Status of Undertrials”. This Topic has relevance in the Governance section of the UPSC CSE exam.
For Prelims:
About Undertrials in India?
For Mains:
GS 2: Governance
Key Recommendations of the report?
Why in the news:
A Parliamentary Panel on Home Affairs has put forward suggestions to tackle the problem of prison overcrowding in India.
About Undertrials in India:
- The situation concerning undertrials in India is a cause for serious alarm. In the year 2021, a striking 77% of the entire prison population in India consisted of undertrials, signifying that these individuals had not been formally convicted of any criminal offense. This represents a notable escalation from the 68% of undertrials recorded in 2019 and establishes the highest proportion of undertrials in any country globally.
Key Recommendations of the report:
Use of Ankle Trackers or Bracelets for Inmates:
- The Parliamentary Committee on Home Affairs has put forth a suggestion to address prison overcrowding by introducing ankle trackers or bracelets. These tracking devices would be designed to be cost-effective and would be worn by individuals who have been granted bail and are temporarily released from prison.
- The primary objective behind these trackers is to closely monitor the movements of these individuals and ensure their compliance with the conditions of their bail. This proposal stems from the recognition that bail is often denied for three reasons: concerns about undertrial prisoners potentially influencing witnesses, attempting to leave the country, or engaging in further criminal activities while on bail.
Voluntary Use and Informed Consent:
- The report emphasizes the importance of upholding human rights and ethical principles in the use of ankle trackers.
- To prevent potential human rights violations, the panel recommends that the use of ankle trackers should be entirely voluntary.
- Inmates should provide informed consent before wearing these tracking devices.
Overcrowding and Delayed Justice:
- The committee acknowledges the significant issue of overcrowding in Indian prisons, which has led to delays in the delivery of justice for both prisoners and the overall criminal justice system.
- To alleviate this problem, the report suggests the transfer of prisoners from overcrowded facilities to other jails with available cells.
- Transfers can occur either within the same state or in jails located in different states.
Lack of Signal Jamming Technology:
- The panel has identified a technological deficiency in many State prison departments.
- This deficiency pertains to the absence of signal jamming technology or the possession of devices that can only block 2G and 3G network signals.
- The lack of effective signal jamming technology has allowed mobile phones to become a significant contraband item that is frequently smuggled into prisons.
Prison Statistics :
- According to data sourced from the National Crime Record Bureau for the year 2021, the report provides an alarming picture of India’s prison situation. India boasts a total of 1,319 correctional facilities designed to accommodate 4,25,609 inmates. However, the actual number of incarcerated individuals surpasses this capacity, with a staggering count of 5,54,034 inmates, resulting in an occupancy rate of 130.2%. Within this inmate population, 4,27,165 individuals are undertrial prisoners, while 1,22,852 have been convicted.
- The report also draws attention to the growing number of female prisoners and a critical staffing shortage issue. Prisons are operating with a workforce that is roughly 30% below the required staffing levels, which adds to the complexity of the situation.
Download plutus ias current affairs eng med 23rd Sep 2023
Q.1 Consider the following statements regarding undertrials:
- The number of Undertrials in prison is greater than the number of Convicted.
- It is mandatory for undertrials to wear ankle bracelets in India.
Which of the statements given above is/are correct?
(a) 1 only
(b) 2 only
(c) Both 1 and 2
(d) Neither 1 nor 2
Q.2 India’s prison system faces a multitude of challenges, from severe overcrowding to ethical concerns surrounding the treatment of inmates. Analyze.
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