Prison Reforms: Historical and Contemporary Perspectives

Abstract

Prison populations have remained at the margins of welfare and development, and have seldom been viewed as in need of or deserving of social services. With the development of criminology as a subject of enquiry, a gradual shift has taken place, whereby the individual alone is no more held responsible for his/her norm or law breaking behaviour. The shift has included a gradual policy shift away from capital punishment, torture and debilitating forms of punishment, imprisonment as and not for punishment, more humane custodial conditions, protection of legal and human rights, and finally a focus on retraining, rehabilitation and social inclusion. This chapter analyses the situation of prisons in India from a historical as well as contemporary perspective, outlining the legal status of prisoners, court judgements and reform committee reports and suggests the way forward in addressing the issues highlighted in the chapter.