Why in news
The Supreme Court has directed several states and Union Territories (UTs) to provide complete information with regard to the functioning of open prisons within four weeks.
While hearing the matter related to congestion in jails, the apex court had observed that establishing open jails can be one of the solutions to overcrowding and also addressing the issue of rehabilitation of prisoners.
What are Open Prisons?
Semi-open or open prisons allow convicts to work outside the premises during the day to earn a livelihood and return in the evening.
These are designed without the traditional high walls, barbed wire, and armed guards.
Instead, they rely on inmate self-discipline and community engagement.
The concept was introduced to assimilate the convicts with society and reduce psychological pressure as they faced difficulties in leading normal lives outside.
Open jails, based on the reformative theory of justice, focus on rehabilitating inmates rather than solely punishing them.
This approach emphasizes transforming prisoners into law-abiding citizens through self-discipline and community integration.
The first open prison in India, established in 1905 in the Bombay Presidency, initially used prisoners as unpaid labour for public works.
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