Uttar Pradesh prison reforms: Yogi Adityanath calls for open jails, rehabilitation, and skills training

Uttar Pradesh Chief Minister Yogi Adityanath has called for prisons to function as centres of reform, rehabilitation, and skill development. In a review of the Prison Department, he urged technology-led upgrades, transparent administration, stronger security, sanitation, and healthcare. He also directed officials to prepare an action plan for open jails for minor offences.

Uttar Pradesh Chief Minister Yogi Adityanath on Monday asked officials to redesign the state’s prison system. Yogi Adityanath said jails should focus on reform, rehabilitation and skills. Yogi Adityanath called for modern technology and transparent systems. Yogi Adityanath gave these directions while chairing a Prison Department review meeting.

Yogi Adityanath said prisons must get a new identity across Uttar Pradesh. Yogi Adityanath said jails should not remain only confinement spaces. Yogi Adityanath directed wider use of reform-oriented activities in prisons. Yogi Adityanath also asked officials to improve technological infrastructure and administration for better outcomes.

Uttar Pradesh prison reform plan and open jails

Yogi Adityanath directed officials to prepare a special action plan for open jails. Yogi Adityanath said regular prisons should mainly hold professional criminals and mafia elements. Yogi Adityanath said open jails could suit people booked for minor offences. Officials were also told to strengthen security, sanitation and healthcare in every prison.

Yogi Adityanath ordered tighter monitoring of surveillance and security systems. Yogi Adityanath said no compromise on prison security would be accepted. The review also covered inmate training and rehabilitation systems. Officials were asked to improve arrangements across facilities. The focus included healthcare access, hygiene standards, and better use of technology.

Uttar Pradesh prison capacity, overcrowding and new prisons

Officials reported that overcrowding levels have eased since 2017. In 2017, Uttar Pradesh had 70 prisons with capacity for 58,400 inmates. The inmate population was 96,383, giving an overcrowding rate of 1.77. At present, 77 prisons hold 79,782 inmates against a capacity of 77,673. The overcrowding rate is now 1.03.

Since 2017, seven new prisons started operations in Chitrakoot, Ambedkarnagar, Sant Kabir Nagar, Etawah, Prayagraj, Shravasti, and Bareilly. These added capacity for 10,495 inmates. Construction is underway for six more prisons in Amethi, Mahoba, Hathras, Kushinagar, Jaunpur, and Hapur. These will add capacity for 6,156 inmates.

Officials said land acquisition and registration for several proposed prisons is in final stages. Yogi Adityanath asked that multi-storey prisons get priority. Yogi Adityanath also reviewed work meant to reduce crowding. All under-construction projects must finish within set timelines. Regular checks on new prisons and barracks were also ordered.

Uttar Pradesh prison releases and inmate categories

The meeting was told that processes for premature release have been sped up. Between 2012 and 2016, 273 inmates got premature release. The figure rose to 2,882 between 2017 and 2021. It increased to 3,846 between 2022 and 2026. Prisoners released after paying fines rose from 2,823 in 2012-16 to 6,231 during 2017-2026.

Yogi Adityanath asked officials to prepare lists of specific inmate groups. These include inmates above 75 years of age and prisoners with terminal illnesses. The list should also cover women inmates staying with children in jail. It should include inmates who cannot arrange bail amounts through available means.

Uttar Pradesh prison skill development and One Jail One Product

Yogi Adityanath said, "Skill development and production activities should be further expanded to make inmates self-reliant. Connecting prisoners with the mainstream of society through reformative efforts remains a priority of the government.\" Officials said many districts run units for tailoring, carpets, blankets, phenyl, woodcraft, spices, printing, handicrafts, garments, LED bulbs, pottery, and related work.

Officials said One Jail One Product-based units are running in 37 prisons. Yogi Adityanath also asked prisons to promote yoga, sports, agriculture and cow conservation. The aim is better health, improved mental well-being, and a positive environment. The meeting noted that 17 prisons have cow shelters, protecting 1,265 cattle.

Officials reported growth in prison farming activity. Agricultural land under prisons rose from 584.51 acres in 2020 to 624.14 acres at present. Vegetable and potato output from prison farms increased from 81,270 quintals to 86,720 quintals. The meeting also noted recruitment is underway for 3,647 vacant posts in the department.

With inputs from PTI