Prisoner death compensation policy approved in Uttar Pradesh with Rs 5 lakh, Rs 3 lakh payouts

The Uttar Pradesh cabinet has approved a prisoner death compensation policy to provide timely support to families. It sets compensation at Rs 5 lakh for specified unnatural deaths, including medical lapses, and Rs 3 lakh for suicides in custody. The policy aims to protect human rights and improve transparency in prison administration.

The Uttar Pradesh cabinet on Wednesday cleared a new policy on prisoner deaths and compensation. The plan sets fixed payments for families when an inmate dies an unnatural death in a state jail. The decision came at a cabinet meeting chaired by Chief Minister Yogi Adityanath. Officials said the policy is meant to speed up relief for affected families.

The cabinet also approved building five new district jails in Moradabad, Kanpur Nagar, Auraiya, Lalitpur and Bhadohi. The total estimated cost is more than Rs 1,460 crore. Officials said the new facilities are expected to ease overcrowding, improve inmate services, and support modern prison management across Uttar Pradesh.

Uttar Pradesh prisoner death compensation policy details

Addressing reporters after the meeting, state jail minister Dara Singh Chauhan explained the compensation structure. Chauhan said, "the policy provides for compensation of Rs 5 lakh in cases where a prisoners death occurs due to a fight with another inmate, negligence in treatment, shortage of doctors, inadequate medical facilities in prisons, or lapses during treatment at a hospital.\" The amount is for dependents or next of kin.

Chauhan also said, \"compensation of Rs 3 lakh will be paid to the dependents of prisoners who die by suicide while in custody.\" An official statement said the policy is intended to protect prisoner human rights. It also aims to make prison administration more transparent and provide quicker relief to bereaved families.

Uttar Pradesh prisoner death compensation and NHRC process

At present, compensation for unnatural prisoner deaths is paid using recommendations of the National Human Rights Commission NHRC. Officials said the current process involves procedural steps and several approvals. These requirements can delay compensation payments. The new policy sets a state framework to reduce such delays in disbursal.

Uttar Pradesh district jails construction plan and costs

Officials shared capacity and cost details for two of the proposed district jails. Moradabad will get a new district jail for 2,000 inmates, costing Rs 386.91 crore. Kanpur Nagar will get a jail for 2,030 inmates, estimated at Rs 384 crore. Officials said jails will also be built in Auraiya, Lalitpur and Bhadohi.

The government said the new prisons will improve accommodation and security for inmates. It also said the facilities will support better healthcare inside jails. The plan includes space for reformative activities. Officials linked these changes to efforts to upgrade prison services while managing inmate numbers better.

With inputs from PTI