In a vital move, the Ministry of Home Affairs (MHA) has reviewed and revised over two-year-old guidelines and Standard Operating Procedure (SOP) for the implementation of the “Support to Poor Prisoners” scheme, citing inadequate and sub-optimal execution across several states and Union Territories (UTs).
The scheme, launched in 2023, aims to provide financial assistance to indigent prisoners whose release is delayed solely due to their inability to pay court-imposed fines or furnish bail because of economic hardship. The original guidelines and SOP were issued to all states and UTs on June 19, 2023.
In a letter dated December 2, addressed to the Chief Secretaries as well as Directors General and Inspectors General of Prisons and Correctional Services of all states and UTs, the MHA acknowledged that poor implementation had hindered the achievement of the scheme’s core objectives. The ministry said it has revised the guidelines and SOPs to strengthen and streamline procedures for swift, effective implementation.
“The revised guidelines and SOP for the ‘Support to Poor Prisoners Scheme’ are appended to this communication. All states and the UTs are requested to adopt these provisions and initiate necessary action to implement the scheme in line with the revisions,” reads the letter.The MHA, on its part, has reviewed the existing guidelines and SOP with a view to further strengthening and streamlining the procedures to ensure swift and effective implementation of the scheme,
In the letter, It is also requested that the guidelines may be disseminated to all concerned authorities to ensure full institutional compliance.The ministry also requests the active engagement of all states and the UTs in the effective implementation of the ‘Support to Poor Prisoners Scheme’, which not only has the potential of mitigating the problems faced by poor prisoners but can also contribute towards reducing overcrowding in prisons.
As per the new guideline and the SOP, an ‘Empowered Committee’ will be constituted in each district of the state and UT, comprising of nominee of the District Collector or District Magistrate (DM), Secretary, District Legal Services Authority (DLSA), Superintendent of Police, Superintendent or Dy. Superintendent of the concerned prison and judge incharge of the concerned prison as nominee of the district judge, to consider cases of eligible prisoners. The MHA has designated the National Crime Records Bureau (NCRB) as the CNA for implementing this scheme.
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