Panel suggests GPS trackers to reduce overcrowding in prisons

Source: The post is based on the article “Panel suggests GPS trackers to reduce overcrowding in prisons”  published in The Hindu on 21st September 2023

What is the News?

The Parliamentary Committee on Home Affairs has released a report titled ‘Prison-Conditions, Infrastructure, and Reforms’.

What has been the status of Prisons in India?

According to the Prison Statistics published by the National Crime Record Bureau for 2021, there are 1,319 prisons in India with a total capacity of 4,25,609 prisoners.The actual inmates are 5,54,034 which shows that the occupancy capacity rate is 130.2%. 

Of the total inmates, the number of undertrial prisoners is 4,27,165 and the number of convicted prisoners is 1,22,852. 

The occupancy of women prisoners has been increased and the prisons are understaffed by approximately 30% of the required strength.

Uttar Pradesh has the highest number of undertrial prisoners, accounting for 21.21% of the country’s total while Delhi has the highest percentage of undertrial prisoners, comprising 91% of its total inmate population.

Prisons are understaffed by approximately 30% of the required personnel.

What are the key recommendations given by the Parliamentary Committee on Home Affairs?

Use of Technology: Bail is often denied for three primary reasons: concerns that the undertrial prisoner might influence or intimidate witnesses, attempt to flee the country or commit additional crimes.

– To overcome this problem, the panel said that technology can be used to produce cost-effective bracelets or anklet trackers that can be worn by the prisoners who have procured bail and are out of prison on bail.

– However, this method should be used on a voluntary basis after procuring the consent of inmates.

Overcrowding of jails: The panel recommended that prisoners from overcrowded jails may be transferred to other jails with vacant cells in the same State or other States. 

Lack of jamming capability: The panel highlighted the inadequate jamming capabilities in many State Prison Departments, with some only able to block 2G and 3G network signals.This lack of jamming technology has led to the frequent smuggling of mobile phones into prisons, posing a potential security hazard.