Prison Conditions In India: A Critical Analysis With Special Reference To Educational And Vocational Rehabilitation
- IJLLR Journal
- Nov 13, 2025
- 1 min read
Arshita Sharma, PhD Scholar, Department of Laws, Panjab University, Chandigarh.
ABSTRACT
Human civilization has always included crime and criminality, which presents ongoing difficulties for the criminal justice system. The prison system has gradually changed from being primarily designed as a place of punishment to a tool for rehabilitation and reformation. Since social norms and humanitarian ideals have changed, the modern jail system prioritizes reformative approaches above punishing ones. India’s prison circumstances reflect the criminal justice system’s overall challenges in finding a balance between punishment and reformation. This article focuses on vocational and educational rehabilitation while critically analysing prison conditions. The application of the Nelson Mandela Rules, which set universal fundamental requirements for prisoner treatment, in the Indian setting is evaluated. Additionally, it examines the 2016 Model jail Manual, which was distributed to States and Union Territories as a framework to align local jail operations with global standards. The study uses data from the National Crime Records Bureau (NCRB) to determine the primary barriers to the successful implementation of educational and vocational programs in prisons. The emphasis is on how these initiatives can support prisoner’s rehabilitation, aid in their reintegration into society, and reduce the stigma attached to incarceration. The analysis points out persistent systemic and administrative problems and recommends practical adjustments at the operational and policy-making levels. The study comes to the conclusion that education and vocational training are essential tools for reformation, and that their successful implementation might greatly enhance prison conditions and fortify the Indian criminal justice system.
Keywords: Prison Conditions, Education, Vocational Rehabilitation, Human Rights, Reformation, Reintegration
