Jail Rules: The Union Home Ministry has amended the Jail Rules to verify discrimination and classification of prisoners on the basis of their caste in jails. The Union Home Ministry, in a letter despatched to the Chief Secretaries of all states and Union Territories, has mentioned that to resolve the challenge of any caste-based discrimination against prisoners, the “Model Prison Rules, 2016” and the “Model Prison Rules, 2016” have been issued. The Prison and Correctional Services Act, 2023 has been amended.
These adjustments have been made in view of the Supreme Court’s order of October 3, 2024 on caste-based discrimination against prisoners. According to the new modification made in the Prison Rules, the jail authorities should strictly guarantee that there’s no discrimination, classification or segregation of prisoners on the basis of their caste.
‘It should be strictly ensured that there’s no discrimination on the basis of caste’
It mentioned, “It will be strictly ensured that there is no discrimination against prisoners on the basis of their caste in the allotment of any duty or work in prisons.” Changes have additionally been made in ‘, through which a brand new heading ‘Prohibition of caste-based discrimination in prisons and correctional establishments’ has been added as part 55(A).
Cleaning of sewer or septic tank won’t be allowed.
The Home Ministry additionally mentioned that the provisions of the “Prohibition of Employment as Manual Scavengers and their Rehabilitation Act, 2013” may have binding impact in prisons and correctional establishments as properly. It says, “Manual manual scavenging or hazardous cleaning of sewers or septic tanks will not be allowed inside the jail.”
The Home Ministry mentioned that since many States and Union Territories haven’t applied the Habitual Offenders Act of their jurisdiction and after analyzing the definition of ordinary offenders in the accessible Habitual Offenders Acts of numerous States, the Model Jail Rules, 2016 and the Model Jail and It has been determined to vary the present definition of ‘Habitual Offender Act’ in the Correctional Services Act, 2023.
The Supreme Court had additionally given directions in its order relating to “habitual criminals” and had mentioned that the Prison Rules and Model Prison Rules would be as per the definition of “habitual criminals” in the legal guidelines enacted by the respective state legislatures. The courtroom had directed that if there’s no ordinary offender regulation in the state, then the central and state governments will make needed adjustments in the guidelines and laws in accordance with its resolution inside a interval of three months.
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