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Panel to be formed to study the plight of children in jails
Why in the news ?
- The Supreme Court has ordered the appointment of a committee headed by a retired Supreme Court judge to look into issues of children of women prisoners.
Details
- The bench had expressed concern about children who are in prison only because their mother is in prison.
- It had also suggested the appointment of a committee to look into this issue in great depth with the assistance of psychologists, social scientists and experts in different fields so that some pragmatic policy is framed for looking after such children.
- The order came after the Supreme Court’s amicus curiae and advocate Gaurav Agarwal submitted a report showing that there were 18 jails exclusively for women.
- Also, there are separate areas for women in other jails, but there is a huge lack of space for women inmates. He said these jails were not modelled to house women inmates, especially those with minor children staying with them.
- The committee would also look into what reforms could be introduced within the prison walls.
- The court said the Centre should issue a notification on the setting up of the committee, highlighting the importance of prison reforms and the fundamental right to life and dignity of the prisoners.
- The court advised the Centre that criminals sentenced to imprisonment for six months or a year should be allocated social service duties rather than be sent to prison to further choke the already overflowing prisons.
- 240 jails across the country are housing inmates 150% above their normal capacity.
Source
The Hindu.