Supreme Court forms panel to bring in jail reforms

New Delhi: The Supreme Court on Tuesday set up a panel headed by a retired judge of the court to usher in drastic prison reforms and decongest overcrowded jails.

The panel will examine way and means to prevent violence against inmates, get the required legal aid and rehabilitate them. It will also examine the feasibility of setting up more open prisons.

Indian prisons are infamous for overcrowding, much of it blamed on the large number of undertrials. Custodial violence is rife despite court rulings banning custodial torture.


A three-judge bench, comprising Justices Madan B Lokur, S Abdul Nazeer and Deepak Gupta, said that retired Supreme Court judge Amitava Roy would head the panel.

The panel will also include the Inspector General of Police, Bureau of Police Research and Development, and Director General (Prisons), Tihar Jail, as its members.

The committee will examine the extent of overcrowding in prisons and correctional homes and recommend remedial measures. It will examine the functioning of undertrial review committees, availability of legal aid and advice, grant of remission, parole and furlough.