The Sanganer Open Jail

1. In December 2024, Supreme Court-appointed commissioner is scheduled to visit Sanganer open prison which is one of the largest open prisons in India.

Background: Dispute Over Land Allocation at Sanganer Open Jail

1. In May 2024, the Supreme Court ruled that the size of open jail areas should not be reduced, stressing the need to protect these spaces.
2. A social worker filed a contempt petition arguing that the Rajasthan government’s decision of allocation of jail land for constructing a hospital would harm the ecosystem of the jail, which is known for its effective and unique model.
3. State Government’s Position: The government rejects claims of reducing the jail’s area. It stated that some structures for prisoners were built without authorization.

1. The government proposes allocating additional land to shift prisoners into new shelters.

4. Supreme Court’s Stance: In November, the Supreme Court highlighted the need to strike a balance between preserving the open correctional facility and meeting the hospital's requirements to serve the local community.

1. The court appointed a commissioner to inspect the site and submit a report on the matter within four weeks.

What is an Open Prison?

1. The Model Prisons and Correctional Services Act, 2023, defines an open correctional institution as a facility where eligible prisoners are confined under specific conditions, offering greater freedom outside a traditional prison.

1. This system aims to support their rehabilitation post-release.

2. Since prisons fall under the jurisdiction of state governments, states have established their own rules for setting up open prisons.
3. Eligibility Criteria: Most states determine eligibility for open prisons based on:

1. The nature of the prisoner’s crime.
2. Their behaviour and conduct during incarceration (imprisonment).
3. The portion of their sentence already served.

4. Features of Open Prisons:

1. Security: Open prisons have minimal security compared to traditional jails.
2. Activities: Inmates are allowed to engage in activities like agriculture and other productive work.
3. Overcrowding Solution: They help reduce overcrowding in regular prisons.
4. Rehabilitation: Open prisons make it easier for inmates to reintegrate into society after completing their sentences.

Types of Open Prisons

1. Within Traditional Prisons: Some open prisons are designated sections within regular jails, offering inmates permission to leave for approved activities.
2. Separate Colonies: In certain states, open prisons are independent settlements where inmates live with their families, though their movements are still monitored and restricted.

History of Open Jails in India

1. The 1^st open jail in independent India was set up in 1949 within a prison in Lucknow, Uttar Pradesh. Subsequently, similar open-air prisons were established across UP in 1952.

Justice Mulla Committee (1980-83)

1. The All-India Committee on Jail Reform (1980-83), also known as the Justice Mulla Committee, mentioned that the idea of organizing open-air camps was introduced in 1952 at the Hague Conference.

1. This initiative aimed to let prisoners experience a near-community life after serving a portion of their sentence.

2. By 1983, there were 28-30 open jails, but only 13 states had formal rules for their operation.

Recommendations by Justice Mulla Committee: The committee proposed several measures to improve the functioning of open jails:

1. Utilize land adjacent to closed prisons to establish open jails.
2. Engage inmates in productive activities such as: agriculture, dairy farming, infrastructure projects like dam construction
3. Ensure uniform wages for prisoners, addressing disparities where some states paid only token wages while others adhered to community-level wage standards.

Current Scenario

1. According to the Prison Statistics of India 2022, there are 91 open jails in 17 states. These facilities have a total capacity of nearly 6,000 inmates, with ore than 4,400 prisoners currently housed.
2. Rajasthan leads with 41 open jails, followed by Maharashtra with 19.

What Makes the Sanganer Open Jail Unique?

1. The Sanganer Open Jail, also known as Sampurnanand Khula Bandi Shivir, was established in 1963 and named after a former Uttar Pradesh chief minister and Rajasthan governor.
2. It has operated continuously unlike other open jails that faced closures due to issues like prison breaks.

Key Features

1. Location and Population: Situated around 15 km from Jaipur, the jail houses 422 prisoners, including 14 women and their families.
2. Family Integration: Inmates live with their spouses and children, fostering a family environment with minimal security.
3. Self-Sufficiency: Prisoners pay for utilities like water and electricity and earn a living through local community jobs, such as running grocery shops. They also construct and maintain their homes with their earnings.
4. Self-Governance: The jail operates a Bandi Panchayat, allowing inmates to self-regulate. They conduct roll calls twice daily to ensure all inmates return by the end of the day.
5. Facilities: The complex includes a primary school accessible to local children, anganwadis, and a playground. Prisoners also have access to phones.

Inmate Selection Criteria

1. Unlike other open jails where prisoners nearing the end of their sentence are admitted, Sanganer requires inmates to have completed at least 6 years and 8 months of their term. Their conduct is also evaluated before admission.

Legacy and Influence

1. The Mulla Committee recommended that every state and union territory develop open camps like Sanganer, considering it the "final stage in the open camp movement."
2. Although the Sanganer open jail has evolved over time, it remains globally distinctive.
3. Inspired by Sanganer, 52 open-air camps have been established in Rajasthan, making it the state with the highest number of such facilities in India.

 

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