Prisoners get freedom in open jail.
After hearing the name of jail, the first thought that comes to anyone’s mind is that people are kept imprisoned behind bars. Jails are built to punish people involved in different crimes and criminals are kept here till the period of punishment. However, there are many jails in the country where prisoners get time to go out and do livelihood and spend time with family. These jails are called open jails. Let us know what open jails are, what kind of freedom do prisoners get in them and why their demand is increasing.
In fact, recently the Supreme Court has sought information from the states about open jails. If we look at the data, according to the National Crime Records Bureau 2022, there are 91 open jails across the country. These jails are different from other jails in many ways. While there are open jails in many states of the country, many states are considering starting open jails. In these open jails, there are no restrictions like other prisons and prisoners are given freedom here.
what is open jail
In West Bengal, the head of the state prison department forms a committee of jail and police officials, which selects the prisoners eligible for transfer to the open jail. This committee approves their transfer after conducting a personal interview and checking their track record. However, prisoners falling under prohibited sections of the law are not included in this. Similarly, according to the Rajasthan Prisoners Open Air Camp Rules 1972, prisoners eligible for transfer to the open jail have to complete one-third of their sentence.
How much freedom do prisoners have in open jail
Many open prisons also allow inmates to live with their families and earn a living, reports Legal Services India. In West Bengal, open prisons allow inmates complete freedom to move around as there is no daily lock-up system. The doors of the open prison open at 6 am and close at 8 pm. During this time, inmates are free to go wherever they want. However, they have to return to the prison by 8 pm.
Prisoners living in open jails are instructed to find employment within 20 kms of the jail so that they can return to the jail every night. Apart from this, they are also given parole for 20 days after 6 months. After shifting to open correctional homes, they are given food in open jails for the next three months and after that the prisoners have to arrange for their own food.
History of Open Jail in India
Talking about the history of open jails in India, the first open jail was started in 1905 under the Bombay Presidency. However, this open jail was closed in 1910. Apart from this, the first open jail for women was built in Yerwada, Pune in 2010. At the same time, the first open jail in South India was built in Poojapura, Kerala in 2012. Today there are 91 open jails in India.
Read this also-
Gujarat Flood: Jamnagar is in bad shape after the rain, from malls to slums everyone is facing problems
Flood-like situation in Andhra-Telangana due to rain, 10 dead; Modi-Shah spoke to both CMs
Latest India News