Important Facts For Prelims
Parole and Furlough
- 28 Mar 2023
- 3 min read
Why in News?
Recently, Supreme Court of India ruled that the period of parole granted to convicts during the Covid-19 pandemic to prevent overcrowding in prisons and avoid the risk of spread of infection, cannot be counted as part of their actual sentence period.
What is Parole and Furlough?
- Parole:
- It is a system of releasing a prisoner with suspension of the sentence.
- The release is conditional, usually subject to behavior, and requires periodic reporting to the authorities for a set period of time
- Parole is not a right, and is given to a prisoner for a specific reason, such as a death in the family or a wedding of a blood relative
- It may be denied to a prisoner even when he makes out a sufficient case, if the competent authority is satisfied that releasing the convict would not be in the interest of society.
- It is a system of releasing a prisoner with suspension of the sentence.
- Furlough:
- It is similar to parole, but with some significant differences. It is given in cases of long-term imprisonment.
- The period of furlough granted to a prisoner is treated as remission of his sentence.
- Unlike parole, furlough is seen as a matter of right for a prisoner, to be granted periodically irrespective of any reason, and merely to enable the prisoner to retain family and social ties, and to counter the ill-effects of prolonged time spent in prison.
Note
- Both parole and furlough are considered as reformative processes. These provisions were introduced with a view to humanizing the prison system.
- Parole and furlough are covered under the Prisons Act of 1894.
UPSC Civil Services Examination, Previous Year Question (PYQ)
Q. With reference to India, consider the following statements: (2021)
- When a prisoner makes out a sufficient case, parole cannot be denied to such prisoner because it becomes a matter of his/her right.
- State Governments have their own Prisoners Release on Parole Rules.
Which of the statements given above is/are correct?
(a) 1 only
(b) 2 only
(c) Both 1 and 2
(d) Neither I nor 2
Ans: (b)
