Judicial Precedents On Prisoners’ Administration In India
Yagvendra Singh, Assistant Professor, School of Law, Shri Davara University
Dr. Shyamali Naidu, Assistant Professor, School of Law, Shri Davara University
INTRODUCTION
The Indian judiciary has played a pivotal role in safeguarding prisoners’ rights, addressing systemic issues in prison administration, and ensuring humane treatment through landmark judgments. By interpreting constitutional provisions, particularly Article 21 (Right to Life and Personal Liberty), the Supreme Court and High Courts have developed a robust human rights jurisprudence to protect the dignity of inmates. Despite the absence of comprehensive legislation specifically addressing prisoners’ rights, judicial activism has filled legislative gaps, setting binding precedents under Article 141 of the Constitution. This paper analyzes key judicial precedents on prisoners’ rights in India, as outlined in the provided document, focusing on landmark cases, their legal principles, and their impact on prison administration. It covers critical aspects such as the right to dignity, speedy trial, legal aid, protection from inhumane treatment, and rehabilitation, while highlighting challenges in implementation and proposing reforms.
STATEMENT OF PROBLEM
The numerous reports on Indian Prison systems present the gory picture of unhygienic and poor status of the prisons. The overcrowding in the prisons adversely adds to the miserly. Under the Indian Constitution, all the citizen of India should be treated equally and every person has right to life under Article 21 which also include right to live with dignity and quality life but as numerous reports on Indian Prison System present gruesome picture.
OBJECTIVES
The main aim of this research is to study the relevant provisions of the Constitution of India. of Indian prison administration and study landmark judicial decision relating to prisons administration as well as decisions protecting rights of the prisoners.
