Punitive To Reformative Justice With Special Reference To Prison Reform In India
- IJLLR Journal
- Jan 5
- 1 min read
Himanshu Singh, Central University of South Bihar
Dr. Deo Narayan Singh, Central University of South Bihar
ABSTRACT
In today's criminal justice systems, prison reform has grown in importance, particularly as nations transition from strictly punitive to reformative and rehabilitative models. The previous punitive system, which was primarily focused on retaliation and deterrence, has not proven very effective in lowering recidivism, addressing the underlying causes of crime, or guaranteeing that inmates may reintegrate into society as contributing members of society. Conversely, it has frequently resulted in human rights breaches, overcrowding in jails, and social isolation. On the other side, the reformative approach prioritizes societal acceptance of offenders as responsible members of society and rehabilitation. In order to help convicts reintegrate into society with dignity and purpose, it emphasizes the importance of education, skill development, mental health support, and restorative justice techniques.
With an emphasis on the Indian legal system, this study attempts to examine the transition from punitive to reformative justice while also making analogies with global experiences. Simultaneously, it will look at implementation challenges such inadequate infrastructure, political reluctance, and resource scarcity and offer potential policy solutions. The paper concludes by arguing that a reformative strategy promotes long-term social security by transforming jails into hubs of positive transformation rather than merely sites of punishment, while also reflecting the constitutional ideals of human dignity and fairness.
Keywords: Prison, justice, prisoner, reform.
