Delhi/Nagpur: The Central Government has announced a special scheme aimed at providing financial support to economically weaker, socially disadvantaged, and marginalized groups who are imprisoned and unable to pay their fines or bail amounts. The initiative is expected to reduce overcrowding in the country’s prisons by enabling the release of prisoners who are unable to pay their dues.
According to a statement issued by the Home Ministry on Friday, the government will provide financial assistance to states to help poor prisoners who cannot avail bail or are unable to pay fines due to financial constraints. The scheme’s details have been finalized after consultation with stakeholders.
The Home Ministry further stated that the government would use technology-driven solutions to ensure that benefits reach the intended recipients. These solutions include reinforcing the e-prisons platform, strengthening the district legal services authority, and capacity building of stakeholders to provide quality legal aid to needy prisoners.
The government has been taking various steps to address the issue of undertrial prisoners, including inserting Section 436A in the Code of Criminal Procedure and a new chapter dealing with plea bargaining. The Legal Services Authority also provides free legal aid to poor prisoners at various levels.
The scheme is part of the government’s efforts to ensure that the benefits of the Budget reach all intended sections of society. The announcement is expected to provide financial support to poor prisoners, a majority of whom belong to socially disadvantaged or marginalized groups with lower education and income levels.
The Home Ministry sends advisories to states from time to time on better prison management, and the Ministry of Home Affairs has been providing financial support to state governments for enhancing and modernizing prison security infrastructure.
