Ranchi — The Jharkhand High Court on Monday directed the state government to set up a three-member committee to strengthen monitoring and improve facilities in open jails across the state.
Taking suo motu cognisance in line with directions from the Supreme Court of India, a division bench comprising Chief Justice M. S. Sonak and Justice Rajesh Shankar stressed the need for a structured and accountable supervision mechanism for open prisons.
The court ordered that the panel be headed by the Home Secretary and must include the Inspector General (IG) of Prisons along with the Superintendent of the concerned open jail. It noted that involving both administrative and operational officials is essential to ensure effective implementation of reforms at the ground level.
The state government has been asked to submit a status report on the formation of the committee by the next hearing scheduled for June 11. During the proceedings, Advocate Piyush Chitresh represented the state.
The directive follows broader instructions from the Supreme Court, which has asked all states to establish similar committees under their Home Departments to strengthen the open prison system nationwide.
Open jails, designed to encourage rehabilitation by offering inmates greater freedom and responsibility, often face issues such as inadequate infrastructure, poor amenities, and lack of consistent monitoring.
The proposed committee will review and improve essential services, including healthcare, food quality, sanitation, and recreational facilities such as gyms. It will also focus on rehabilitation measures like skill development, employment opportunities, and community engagement to support the reintegration of inmates into society.
Emphasising timely action, the High Court called for strict compliance and proactive governance to ensure meaningful reforms in the state’s open prison framework.
With inputs from IANS