State Govt Gives Green Signal For Infrastructure Assessment Committees Formation For Prisons

The establishment of six-member District-level Infrastructure Assessment Committees for Prisons has received approval from the state administration. The Committee would evaluate the facilities that are now available in prisons, evaluate the capacity of the prisons, provide concrete recommendations, and evaluate if using artificial intelligence in prisons is required or not.

In Writ Petition (Civil), the Supreme Court of India ordered, by order dated January 30, 2024, the formation of district-level committees to evaluate the prisons’ infrastructure needs. Principal/District Judges (Chairperson, District Legal Services Authority), District Magistrates, Commissioners of Police or their designees, Superintendents of Police, Superintendents of Prisons, and Secretary, District Legal Services Authority are among the members of the committees.

A government official said that the committees’ tasks would include evaluating the prison system’s current infrastructure and recommending to the State Government how many more prisons should be built in the District; determining whether more prisons should be built or how to improve the capacity of those that already exist to comply with the Model Prison Manual’s standards; investigating whether land acquisition is necessary to establish new prisons based on the District’s current capacity, occupancy, and future demands; and developing concrete recommendations.

The official further added that the Committee will make sure that deadlines are established for finishing the existing projects and will stay informed about the progress of all ongoing projects and proposals that are pending in the District. If a project isn’t starting because of a lack of land, actions will be taken to find the land that needs to be purchased, and a report will be presented to the Chief Secretary to expedite the process and get the required clearances.

“To evaluate the need for using artificial intelligence and implementing video conferencing for performing e-mulakaats, appearing in court, and providing telemedicine services for convicts’ comfort,” the official remarked.