NCJ Number
52330
Journal
Indian Journal of Criminology Volume: 6 Issue: 2 Dated: (JULY 1978) Pages: 106-112
Date Published
1978
Length
7 pages
Annotation
THE FACADE OF PRISON REFORM IN INDIA AND THE OBSTACLES TO REAL REFORM ARE DISCUSSED, AND IMMEDIATE AND LONG RANGE IMPROVEMENTS IN THE INDIAN PENAL SYSTEM ARE SUGGESTED.
Abstract
THE GOVERNMENT'S APPROACH TO MEETING DEMANDS FOR REFORM CONSTITUTES A WHITEWASH. THE ILLUSION OF PROGRESS IS CREATED, WHILE GOALS REMAIN CONFUSED, OPERATIONS UNDIRECTED, AND PRISONER AND CORRECTIONAL STAFF MORALE LOW. BECAUSE THE REAL ISSUES AND PROBLEMS HAVE NOT BEEN ADDRESSED, THE BRUTALIZING CONDITIONS THAT CHARACTERIZED PRISONS OF THE PAST--OVERCROWDING, ENFORCED IDELENESS, REGIMENTATION, MONOTONY, EXPLOITATION, ABUSE OF AUTHORITY--CONTINUE TO FOSTER A CLIMATE OF HOSTILITY. AMONG TRADITIONAL OBSTACLES TO REAL REFORM ARE THE IGNORANCE AND APATHY OF THE PUBLIC, THE INDIFFERENCE OF LEGISLATORS, AND THE TIMIDITY OF ADMINISTRATORS. REAL REFORM CONSISTS OF RESTRUCTURING THE PENAL SYSTEM FOR THE IMMEDIATE AND LONG TERM BENEFIT OF THE INMATES. REFORM EFFORTS SHOULD BEGIN WITH MEETING LONG-STANDING GRIEVANCES ABOUT THE QUALITY OF PRISON LIFE; I.E., GRIEVANCES CONCERNING FOOD, HOUSING, MEDICAL CARE, RECREATIONAL AND EDUCATIONAL SERVICES, MEANINGFUL WORK EXPERIENCE, PAYMENT OF MARKET WAGES FOR INMATE LABOR, VISITING FACILITIES, CENSORSHIP OF MAIL, HOME LEAVE PROVISIONS, GRIEVANCE PROCEDURES, TREATMENT PLANNING, PREPARATION FOR DISCHARGE, AND LEGAL ASSISTANCE. ONCE THE BASIC NEEDS ARE MET, THE PRISON SYSTEM CAN PROCEED TOWARD ACCOMPLISHING REHABILITATIVE OBJECTIVES. HOWEVER, A RADICAL CHANGE IN THE PURPOSE AND PHILOSOPHY BEHIND PENAL INCARCERATION WILL BE NECESSARY. PRISON PERSONNEL MUST NOT ONLY KNOW OF THE REHABILITATIVE ORIENTATION OF THEIR JOBS, BUT MUST ALSO HAVE ACCESS TO CONCRETE RULES AND PROCEDURES THAT ARE IN ACCORDANCE WITH THIS ORIENTATION. CORRECTIONAL STAFF MUST VIEW INCARCERATION AS A LEARNING EXPERIENCE FOR OFFENDERS, NOT MERELY A PERIOD OF CONFINEMENT. PRISON OFFICIALS MUST BE ACCOUNTABLE FOR THE TREATMENT OF INMATES NOT AS PEOPLE WHO HAVE FORFEITED ALL THEIR RIGHTS AND LIBERTIES BY BREAKING A SINGLE LAW, BUT AS PEOPLE WHO THROUGH A SPECIFIC WEAKNESS ARE RENDERED INCAPABLE OF EXERCISING A SPECIFIC LIBERTY. MASSIVE EFFORTS TO IMPROVE THE QUALITY OF PRISON PERSONNEL ARE REQUIRED, TOGETHER WITH THE CONSTRUCTION OF NEW PRISON BUILDINGS THAT REFLECT A CORRECTIONAL PHILOSOPHY RATHER THAN A CUSTODIAL ONE. OTHER IMPORTANT ELEMENTS OF REFORM ARE STRATEGIES FOR REDUCING OVERCROWDING IN THE PRISONS, CHANGES IN THE ATTITUDES OF POLICYMAKERS AND JUDGES ABOUT IMPRISONMENT, AND THE HIRING OF MORE PSYCHIATRISTS, PSYCHOLOGISTS, VOCATIONAL COUNSELORS, TEACHERS, AND SOCIAL WORKERS FOR THE PRISONS. (LKM)