'Prisons'/'persons detained therein' is a “State-List” subject under Entry 4 of List II of the Seventh Schedule to the Constitution of India. Administration and management of prisons and prisoners is the responsibility of respective State Governments who are competent to take appropriate action in this regard. However, given the significance of prisons in the Criminal Justice System, the Ministry of Home Affairs has been providing regular guidance and support to the States and UTs on diverse issues relating to prison administration.
PRISON REFORMS
Acts
Acts
| SR-No | Title | Download/Link |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | The Prisons Act, 1894 | Download (61.33 KB) |
| 2 | The Transfer of Prisoners Act, 1950 | Download (13.63 KB) |
| 3 | The Repatriation of Prisoners Act, 2003 | Download (55.64 KB) |
| 4 | The Prisoners (Attendance In Courts) Act, 1955 | Download (229.53 KB) |
| 5 | The Criminal Procedure (Identification) Act, 2022 | Download (747.34 KB) |
Rules
Rules
| SR-No | Title | Download/Link |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | The Repatriation of Prisoners Rules, 2004 | Download (34.78 KB) |
| 2 | The Criminal Procedure (Identification) Rules, 2022 | Download (980.21 KB) |
Model Prison Manual
Model Prison Manual
| SR-No | Title | Download/Link |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | Model Prison Manual 2003 | Download (1.85 MB) |
| 2 | Model Prison Manual 2016 | Click Here |
Training Manual For Prison Officers
Training Manual For Prison Officers
| SR-No | Title | Download/Link |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | Training Manual of Basic Course for Prison Officers 2017 | Download (1.18 MB) |
| 2 | Training Manual of Basic Course for Prison Warders 2017 | Download (889.87 KB) |
Advisories
Advisories
| SR-No | Title | Download/Link | Date |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Aadhaar authentication of prison inmates and visitors to prison inmates by the Prison Departments of States and Union Territories | Download (2.5 MB) | |
| 2 | Implementation of the Scheme for Support to Poor Prisoners | Download (8.08 MB) | |
| 3 | Measures for effective prison management and filling up of vacancies of Prison officers and staff in Jails. | Download (1.39 MB) | |
| 4 | Conduct of Aadhaar enrolment/updation camps by UIDAI for prison inmates. | Download (871.54 KB) | |
| 5 | Transformation@75- Celebrating Azadi ka Amrit Mahotsav with jail inmates | Download (327.69 KB) | |
| 6 | Grant of Special Remission to Prisoners as part of celebrations of Azadi ka Amrit Mahotsav - addition of a new Special Remission Module in ePrisons | Download (7.3 MB) | |
| 7 | Measures for effective Prison Administration and strengthening security arrangements in prisons, etc. | Download (1021.77 KB) | |
| 8 | Programmes to be organized on 150th Birth Anniversary of Sri Aurobindo | Download (643.39 KB) | |
| 9 | Advisory on Treatment and Care of Transgender Persons in Prisons | Download (1.52 MB) | |
| 10 | Advisory regarding absconding and escapee prisoners - use of ePrisons to leverage technology | Download (2.26 MB) | |
| 11 | Advisory on Dealing with Mental Health issues of prisoners and prison officers | Download (6.79 MB) | |
| 12 | Forwarding of the Order issued by the Hon’ble Supreme Court of India on 7.5.2021 - ‘Contagion of Covid 19 virus in prisons' | Download (195.59 KB) | |
| 13 | Advisory on Prevention and Control of Covid-19 in Prisons and Correctional Homes | Download (5.18 MB) | |
| 14 | Advisory on Consular Access to Foreign nationals in prisons, custody or detention | Download (1.39 MB) | |
| 15 | Advisory on Grant of Parole/Furlough to inmates and their premature release from prison-review of Guidelines | Download (1.47 MB) | |
| 16 | Advisory on Management of Covid 19 in Prisons | Download (1.01 MB) | |
| 17 | Advisory on Precautionary measures to contain Covid 19 in Prisons | Download (429.96 KB) | |
| 18 | Advisory on bringing attitudinal change in Prison officials – actionable point arising out of Hon’ble Home Minister’s speech | Download (1.6 MB) | |
| 19 | Advisory on addressing the issue of Overcrowding in Prisons and providing relief to under trial prisoners | Download (1.51 MB) | |
| 20 | Advisory on safety and security of Prisons and prison inmates - Formation of High Security Jail in States | Download (2.01 MB) | |
| 21 | Advisory on consular access to foreign nationals in prisons, custody or detention | Download (1.1 MB) | |
| 22 | SOP for Under-Trial Review Committees (UTRCs) prepared by NALSA | Download (14.65 MB) | |
| 23 | Forwarding of Report titled 'Women in Prisons' prepared by the Ministry of Women and Child Development to States and UTs | Download (1.9 MB) | |
| 24 | Forwarding of Report of the National Commission for Women for improving the condition of women inmates in prisons to States and UTs | Download (1.39 MB) | |
| 25 | Advisory on Recommendations of the Parliamentary Standing Committee on Empowerment of Women on ‘Women in Detention and Access to Justice | Download (15.19 MB) | |
| 26 | Advisory on Resolutions adopted by the 5th National Conference of Heads of Prisons of States/UTs on Prison Reforms | Download (1.71 MB) | |
| 27 | Advisory on Aadhaar Seeding of Prisoners | Download (2.44 MB) | |
| 28 | Forwarding of the Hon'ble Supreme Court’s direction for installation of CCTV Cameras in all prisons of the country | Download (248.4 KB) | |
| 29 | Advisory on use of Aadhaar for Identification of visitors to prisons | Download (8 MB) | |
| 30 | Advisory regarding Access of prisoners to Aadhar/Nation Population Register in Correctional Homes | Download (886.42 KB) | |
| 31 | Advisory on shifting high risk prisoners from the jail of one State/UT to the jail of another State/UT | Download (871.13 KB) | |
| 32 | Advisory on the Guidelines for allowing visit inside jails by individuals/ NGOs/ Company/Press for the purposes of undertaking research, making documentary or interviewing the inmates, etc. | Download (817.06 KB) | |
| 33 | Advisory on adoption of measures by the States/UTs for improvement of security of jails | Download (1.35 MB) | |
| 34 | Advisory forwarding the Guidelines for reckoning half life spent in judicial custody of UTPs under Section 436 A of Cr.P.C | Download (1.47 MB) | |
| 35 | Guidelines for safeguarding the interest of the Death Row Convicts | Download (1.54 MB) | |
| 36 | Section 433 A of Cr.P.C and “Restriction on powers of remission or commutation in certain cases | Download (191.37 KB) | |
| 37 | Use of Section 436A of the Cr.P.C to Reduce Overcrowding of Prisons | Download (145.76 KB) | |
| 38 | Advisory regarding guidelines for educational programme for prison inmates | Download (25.05 KB) | |
| 39 | Overcrowding in prisons | Download (42.06 KB) | |
| 40 | Appointment of Non-Official Visitors in Prisons | Download (19.17 KB) | |
| 41 | Best Prison Practices | Download (62.43 KB) | |
| 42 | Advisory on the policy for the treatment of terminally ill prisoners-inmates (TIPs) | Download (18.77 KB) | |
| 43 | Advisory to ban the use of mobile phones in prisons | Download (861.56 KB) | |
| 44 | Advisory to curb/eliminate smuggling of drugs into prisons | Download (13.2 KB) | |
| 45 | Advisory on improving the security measures in jails to avoid the incident of jail breaking | Download (13.46 KB) | |
| 46 | Comprehensive Advisory on Prison Administration | Download (104.41 KB) | |
| 47 | Advisory on transfer of prisoner from one jail to another | Download (13.5 KB) | |
| 48 | Advisory on Ban of smoking in prison premises | Download (13.04 KB) | |
| 49 | Advisory for detention of mentally ill undertrial prisoners – Guidelines issued by the Supreme Court | Download (41.42 KB) | |
| 50 | Advisory on Sensitization to Prison inmates on HIV/AIDS | Download (11.57 KB) | |
| 51 | Advisory on Tightening of security measures in jails | Download (15.48 KB) | |
| 52 | Advisory on Facilities to the children of women prisoners – Guidelines issued by the Supreme Court | Download (93.75 KB) | |
| 53 | Advisory on strengthening of security arrangements in Jails | Download (16.62 KB) |
Guidelines
Guidelines
| SR-No | Title | Download/Link | Date |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | The United Nations Standard Minimum Rules for the Treatment of Prisoners (the Nelson Mandela Rules) | Download (372.19 KB) | |
| 2 | Modernisation of Prisons Project - Implementation of CNA guidelines and designation of Implementing Agency by States/UTs | Download (336.95 KB) | |
| 3 | Guidelines for Implementation of the Modernisation of Prisons Project in Prisons of all States and UTs | Download (2.85 MB) | |
| 4 | Technical Guidelines For Implementation of ePrisons project | Download (551.76 KB) | |
| 5 | Guidelines for implementation of ePrisons Project | Download (1.34 MB) | |
| 6 | NHRC monograph titled Suicide in Prison - Prevention strategy and implication from human rights and legal points of view 2014 | Download (4.56 MB) | |
| 7 | International Committee of the Red Cross (ICRC) Guidelines on investigating deaths in custody | Download (503.77 KB) | |
| 8 | NHRC selected letters and guidelines on deaths in custody | Download (202.49 KB) |
Correctional Service Medals
Correctional Service Medals
AWARD OF CORRECTIONAL SERVICE MEDAL FOR GALLANTRY AND DISTINGUISHED/MERITORIOUS SERVICES. The All India Committee on Jail Reforms (1980-83) had recommended that Government of India should institute medals for rewarding prison personnel and the State Governments/UT Administrations should suitably recognize special services rendered by the prison personnel. The aforesaid recommendations were further supported by a Group of Officers headed by Shri R.K. Kapoor (1986). The Group of Officers was constituted to examine and review various aspects of administration and management of prisons, especially in the context of security and discipline in prisons and suggest measures for their improvement. Based on these recommendations, the following medals have been instituted for award to the prison personnel every year on the occasions of the Republic Day and Independence Day:p
- Gallantry Medal
- President’s Correctional Service Medal for Gallantry (PCSMG)
- Correctional Service Medal for Gallantry (CSMG)
- Service Medal
- President’s Correctional service Medal for Distinguished Service (PCSMDS)
- Correctional Service Medal for Meritorious Service (CSMMS)
- A maximum of 25 President’s Correctional Service Medal for Distinguished Service and 75 Correctional Service Medal for Meritorious Service can be awarded in a year. There is no limit to the number of medals that can be awarded for gallantry in a year.
The President’s Correctional Service Medal for Distinguished Service/gallantry and the Correctional Service Medal for Meritorious Service/gallantry are awarded:
- for a specially distinguished record in correctional service.
- for success in organizing correctional service or maintaining the administration in special difficulties like mass admission of prisoners.
- For outstanding ability in putting out riots, preventing escape of prisoners, rescuing the officials, sportsmanship, public work and exemplary service marked by efficiency, devotion to duty, integrity, loyalty, high sense of discipline and spirit of sacrifice.
- The President’s Correctional Service Medal for Gallantry and the Correctional service Medal for Gallantry are awarded for conspicuous/exceptional gallantry in apprehending a prisoner or in preventing their escape, the risk incurred being estimated with regard to the obligations and the duties of the officer concerned and for the outstanding work done in the preceding year.
| SR-No | Title | Download/Link | Date |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | President's Notification regarding Statute and Rules relating to Correctional Service Medals. | Download (557.4 KB) | |
| 2 | Guidelines for Correctional Service Medals. | Download (139.51 KB) | |
| 3 | Monetary enhancement for Gallantry for prison personnel | Download (704.88 KB) | |
| 4 | Details of number of Medals awarded till August 15, 2022 | Download (56.17 KB) | |
| 5 | Names and details of prison personnel awarded with Correctional Service Medals from Republic Day, 2000 to Independence Day, 2022 | Download (4.1 MB) |
REPORTS
Report of All India Committee on Jail Reforms (Mulla Committee) Volume I
Report of All India Committee on Jail Reforms (Mulla Committee) Volume I
| SR-No | Title | Download/Link |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | Part I | Download (4.99 MB) |
| 2 | Part II | Download (4.96 MB) |
| 3 | Part III | Download (5.73 MB) |
| 4 | Part IV | Download (4.98 MB) |
| 5 | Part V | Download (6.47 MB) |
| 6 | Part VI | Download (6.05 MB) |
| 7 | Part VII | Download (7.34 MB) |
| 8 | Part VIII | Download (7.83 MB) |
| 9 | Implementation of Mulla Committee Report on Jail Reforms-Volume I | Download (967.96 KB) |
Report of All India Committee on Jail Reforms (Mulla Committee) Volume II
Report of All India Committee on Jail Reforms (Mulla Committee) Volume II
| SR-No | Title | Download/Link |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | Part I | Download (4.65 MB) |
| 2 | Part II | Download (4.28 MB) |
| 3 | Part III | Download (4.44 MB) |
| 4 | Part IV | Download (5.46 MB) |
| 5 | Part V | Download (4.12 MB) |
| 6 | Part VI | Download (2.23 MB) |
| 7 | Part VII | Download (6.01 MB) |
| 8 | Implementation of Mulla Committee Report on Jail Reforms-Volume II | Download (6.56 MB) |
