Question : Setting up of Model Prisons

(a) the number of prisons in the country, State-wise;

(b) whether the Government has set up or is keen on setting up any model prison to ensure uniformity in structure and facilities in every prison in the country and if so, the details thereof;

(c) whether the Government provides financial assistance to develop, redevelop and improvement in prisons and if so, the details thereof along with the funds provided during the last five years, State-wise; and

(d) whether the Government is considering setting up more prisons, especially for police branches falling under the Government and if so, the details of the existing prisons and the additional prisons being considered?

MINISTER OF STATE IN THE MINISTRY OF HOME AFFAIRS
(SHRI AJAY KUMAR MISHRA)
(a): National Crime Records Bureau (NCRB) compiles prison statistics reported to it by the States and Union Territories (UTs) and publishes the same in its annual publication “Prison Statistics India”. The latest
-2-
L.S.USQ. NO.1442 FOR 26.07.2022
published report is of the year 2020. State/UT-wise details of number of prisons in the country as on 31st December, 2020 are given in Annexure-I.
(b) to (d): ‘Prisons’/‘persons detained therein’ is a “State List” subject under Entry 4 of List II of the Seventh Schedule to the Constitution of India. Administration and management of prisons is the responsibility of State Governments, who are competent to make appropriate provisions for setting up additional prisons in their jurisdictions as per local requirement. The Ministry of Home Affairs (MHA) had prepared a Model Prison Manual in 2016 and had circulated it to all States and UTs for adoption in their jurisdictions. The Model Prison Manual represents the best practices from across the country and strives to reflect the understanding behind various constitutional provisions, international instruments and directions of Supreme Court in the matter of prison administration. The Manual aims at ensuring uniformity in basic principles governing prisons and to serve as a useful tool for prison administration in India.
Modernisation of prisons is a continuous process. MHA has been providing financial assistance to States and UTs from time to time for modernisation of prisons and implementation of technological interventions like e-prisons suite, etc. State/UT-wise details of funds released by MHA for modernisation of prisons during the last five years are given in Annexure-II.