Jharkhand
Establishment of Open Correctional Institutions in Jharkhand
- 17 Apr 2026
- 2 min read
Why in News?
The Jharkhand High Court has directed the state government to constitute a committee for setting up Open Correctional Institutions (OCIs) in order to address overcrowding in prisons and promote inmate rehabilitation.
Key Points
- Court Direction: A Division Bench comprising Chief Justice M. S. Sonak and Justice Rajesh Shankar directed the State Home Secretary to constitute a three-member committee to examine the matter and submit a report.
- The direction was issued in response to severe overcrowding in existing jails, which affects prisoner welfare and the effectiveness of rehabilitation measures.
- Supreme Court Background: The decision follows earlier directions of the Supreme Court, which asked all states and union territories to expand open prison systems as part of nationwide prison reforms.
- Objective: The initiative focuses on introducing reformative and rehabilitative correctional systems by shifting from strictly custodial prisons to more open and flexible prison models.
- Open Prisons: Open prisons allow inmates greater freedom, often enabling them to engage in work, skill development, and social interaction, with minimal security restrictions.
| Read More: Open Prisons, High Court, Supreme Court |
