NCRB to upgrade prison security

The National Crime Records Bureau (NCRB) will be responsible for deployment of modern-day security equipment and setting up high security prisons in states and Union Territories (UTs), the Union home ministry said in a letter.

Prisons are a state subject and the management and administration of prisons falls exclusively in the domain of state governments.

The ministry asked states and UTs to designate a sub agency at the state level which will coordinate with the NCRB for implementing the 'modernisation of prisons' project. "The sub agency will be required to open a bank account with the Canara Bank and NCRB will map the designated sub agency on the Public Financial Management System (PFMS) and will release the funds to the states," said the letter.


In April, the Union home ministry announced plans to provide financial assistance to all states and UTs for modernisation of prisons for a period of five years starting from 2021-22. The central funds will be used for installing modern-day security equipment, facilitating reformation of prisoners and setting up high security prisons, said the ministry. The ministry asked the states which have already received the first tranche of money to return the unspent balance to the NCRB and said the funds can be allocated again as per the new norms, the letter said.