Giving a reply to a Written Question on ‘Prison Reforms’ in the Rajya Sabha, The Minister of State for Home Affairs, Shri Ajay Kumar Mishra said, details of funds released by the Ministry of Home Affairs (MHA) to the States and Union Territories (UTs) for strengthening the ‘e-prisons’ portal, intended for prison computerisation; and in connection with ‘modernisation of prisons’ for enhancing the security infrastructure in prisons, etc. during the last five years is as follows:
| Financial Year (FY) | Funds Released (Figures is crore) |
| 2017-18 | 32.49 |
| 2018-19 | 33.00 |
| 2019-20 | 34.00 |
| 2020-21 | 0 |
| 2021-22 | 50.00 |
MHA had forwarded a Model Prison Manual, 2016 to all States and UTs in the year 2016 for adoption in their respective jurisdictions. MHA has been continuously engaging with the State Governments and UT Administrations emphasizing the significance of the Model Manual and has advised them to adopt the same and make use of the guidance provided in it for efficient prison administration, Shri Mishra added.
National Crime Records Bureau (NCRB) compiles prison statistics reported to it by the States and Union Territories (UTs) and publishes the same in its annual publication “Prison Statistics India”. This information is not maintained by NCRB, Shri Mishra added.
Prisons’/‘persons detained therein’ is a “State List” subject under List II of the Seventh Schedule to the Constitution of India. Therefore, the administration and management of prisoners is primarily the responsibility of respective State Governments, who are competent to enhance the budget allocation towards prisons as per local need and requirements stated the Minister of State for Home Affairs.
Source – PIB
