Now, detailed objective to be needed for parole for prisoners

NEW DELHI: After Bollywood actor Sanjay Dutt's `parole' and `furlough' criticism, the Centre has revised its model prison manual. It has asked prison authorities to “set out in detail the objective behind parole and furlough and define its procedure.“

The Centre also desired the jail authorities to use terms as `parole' and `furlough' in place of leave and special leave. Dutt who is serving his five year prison terms in connection with the 1993 Mumbai blasts has been granted multiple relaxations that drew the ire of top courts. There were also allegations that the Bollywood actor is being given a special treatment because of his influence and status.

As first reported by ET on Thursday, Union home minister Rajnath Singh cleared the new prison rules by revising 32 chapters of the 2003 model prison manual. “The expert committee set up by Singh reviewed the existing model prison manual and inserted a new chapter on repatriation of prisoners,“ a statement issued by the home ministry said. The chapters al so include access to free legal services to prisoners, facilitating and allowing a final meeting between a prisoner and his family.

According to home ministry officials, the new model prison manual takes a more humane approach towards the prisoners and incorporates the guidelines passes by the Supreme Court from time to time.

For females inmate, the revised manual urges not to award harsh punishments like putting a pregnant woman or a female with a new born in a solitary confinement.“Counselling programmes focussed on women, especially those who have been victims of abuse and focus on removing any further damage that imprisonment may have on a female inmate,“ it states.