(a) whether due to COVID a large number of prisoners have been released from the prisons across the country on parole;
(b) if so, the details thereof; and
(c) the details of the prisoners released on parole, State-wise?
(a) whether due to COVID a large number of prisoners have been released from the prisons across the country on parole;
(b) if so, the details thereof; and
(c) the details of the prisoners released on parole, State-wise?
MINISTER OF STATE IN THE MINISTRY OF HOME AFFAIRS
(SHRI AJAY KUMAR MISHRA)
(a) & (b): The Hon’ble Supreme Court of India, in Suo Motu Writ Petition (C) No. 1 of 2020, in the matter of ‘Contagion of Covid 19 virus in prisons’, vide its Order dated 23.3.2020 had directed all States and Union Territories (UTs) to constitute a High Powered Committee to determine which class of prisoners can be released on parole or on interim bail for such period as may be appropriate. In its Order dated 7.5.2021, the Hon’ble Court noted that a large number of prisoners were released by the States and UTs either on interim bail or on parole. Due to the surge in Covid-19 cases, the Hon’ble Court again directed all States and UTs that the High-Powered Committees constituted by them should again consider release of prisoners. The Hon’ble Court directed that the High-Powered Committee, in addition to considering
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fresh release, should forthwith release all inmates who were released earlier pursuant to its Order dated 23.3.2020 by imposing appropriate conditions. It also directed the States and UTs that those inmates who were granted parole pursuant to its earlier Orders should be again granted parole for 90 days in order to tide over the pandemic.
(c): National Crime Records Bureau (NCRB) compiles prison statistics reported to it by the States and UTs and publishes it in its annual report “Prison Statistics India”. The latest published report is of the year 2019. Specific data in this regard is not maintained centrally.
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