Question : Training to Inmates

(a) whether as a part of prison reforms the Union Government proposes to take initiatives with the help of the State Governments and jails administration to start massive skill development drive to train inmates in numerous employable skills;

(b) if so, the details thereof and the progress made so far in this regard along with the State Governments, which are working in collaboration with the Government;

(c) whether the Government has any proposal to provide training to inmates under the Pradhan Mantri Kaushal Yojana;

(d) if so, the details thereof and the time by which the said proposal is likely to be implemented; and

(e) the other steps taken by the Government for prison reforms in the country?

MINISTER OF STATE IN THE MINISTRY OF HOME AFFAIRS
(SHRI HARIBHAI PARATHIBHAI CHAUDHARY)

(a) to (d) “Prisons” is a State subject as per the Seventh Schedule to the Constitution of India and management of jails, including skilling of inmates is primarily the responsibility of the States. Under the Pradhan Mantri Kaushal Vikas Yojana (PMKVY), 1200 inmates of Central Jail,
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L.S.U.S.Q.No. 2720 FOR 15.12.2015

Tihar are undergoing training in a range of trades including Beauty and Wellness, Retail, Data Entry Operator, Electrician, Hospitality, Telecom, Customer Care Executive, Sewing Machine Operator etc. through two vocational training partners of National Skill Development Corporation (NSDC).

(e) Although “Prisons” is a State subject as per entry 4 of List II of the Seventh Schedule to the Constitution of India and the administration and management of prisons is primarily the responsibility of the State Governments the Government of India had provided the financial assistance to the 27 States (except Arunachal Pradesh) under the scheme of Modernisation of Prisons from 2002-2007 with further extension upto 2009 involving a total outlay of Rs. 1800 crore on a cost sharing basis in the ratio of 75:25 between the Central Government and the State Governments respectively. The scheme closed on 31.3.2009. The Thirteenth Finance Commission had also allocated Rs. 609 crore from 2011-15 for upgradation of prisons to the following eight States – Andhra Pradesh, Arunachal Pradesh, Chhattisgarh, Kerala, Maharashtra, Mizoram, Odisha and Tripura.

In addition, the Model Prison Manual 2003 is being revised and updated to align it with the International norms for guidance of the prison administrations of States/UTs. An e-prison project has also been approved for roll out in the States/UTs which would ensure digitization of inmate records and management of prisons through an application software and provide quick access to prison data.
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