Court orders de-congestion of all prisons

Why is it in news?
  • The Supreme Court has ordered the police to de-congest the overcrowded jails in India.
  • The order came as the second wave of the pandemic continues its devastating run across the country.
Details:
  • The Court ordered the police to limit arrests during the pandemic to prevent over-crowding in jails.
  • It further ordered special committees or ‘High-Powered Committees’ constituted in most States to screen prisoners and release them on interim bail.
Background:
  • India has more than four lakh prison inmates.
  • It is observed that some of the prisons in India are overburdened and are housing inmates beyond optimal capacity.
  • The requirement of decongestion is a matter concerning the health and right to life of both the prison inmates and the police personnel working.
Source: The Hindu.
Posted by Jawwad Kazi on 9th May 2021
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