Lok Sabha Question No. 2541 (UNSTARRED), answered on 2021-12-14
Subject: Programme & Services for Women Prisoners
Ministry: HOME AFFAIRS
Asked by: Parbatbhai Savabhai Patel, Naranbhai Bhikhabhai Kachhadiya

## GOVERNMENT OF INDIA MINISTRY OF HOME AFFAIRS

## LOK SABHA UNSTARRED QUESTION NO. 2541

TO BE ANSWERED ON THE 14 TH  DECEMBER, 2021/ AGRAHAYANA 23, 1943 (SAKA) PROGRAMME & SERVICES FOR WOMEN PRISONERS

2541.

SHRI PARBATBHAI SAVABHAI PATEL: SHRI NARANBHAI KACHHADIYA:

Will the Minister of HOME AFFAIRS be pleased to state:

(a)  whether  the  Government  is  considering  to  formulate  any  programmes  and services to reintegrate the women prisoners into the society;

- (b) if so, the details thereof, State-wise;

(c) whether any step is being taken by the Government for the education of their children along with their rehabilitation; and

(d) if so, the details thereof?

ANSWER

MINISTER OF STATE IN THE MINISTRY OF HOME AFFAIRS (SHRI AJAY KUMAR MISHRA)

(a) & (b): 'Prisons'/'persons detained therein' is a 'State' subject as per Entry 4 of List  II  of  the  Seventh  Schedule  to  the  Constitution  of  India.  Administration  and management  of  prisoners  is  the  responsibility  of  State  Governments,  who  are competent  to  devise  and  implement  appropriate  schemes  for  reintegration  of women  prisoners  into  the  society  and  for  taking  steps  for  the  welfare  of  the children  of  women  inmates  and  their  rehabilitation  etc.  The  Ministry  of  Home Affairs  (MHA) has issued several advisories to the States and Union Territories (UTs) from time to time for providing vocational and skill development training to prisoners, including women inmates. MHA has also advised the States and UTs to coordinate  and  collaborate  with  their  Skill  Development  Departments  in  this

## LS.US.Q.NO.2541 FOR 14.12.2021

regard and for making provision for suitable opportunities for the development of skills of prison inmates, particularly women prisoners. States and UTs have also been advised to  formulate  suitable  schemes  and  develop  policies  for  providing employment to released convicts. The Model Prison Manual 2016 prepared and circulated  by  MHA  to  all  States  and  UTs  has  specific  chapters  on  'Vocational training  and  skill  development  programmes',  'After-Care  and  Rehabilitation'  and 'Women  Prisoners'  etc.  The  guidelines  contained  in  these  chapters  provide detailed  guidance  to  the  States  about  the  rehabilitation  and  reintegration  of prison inmates, including women inmates.

(c)  &  (d):  MHA  has  issued  an  advisory  to  all  States  and  UTs  forwarding  the guidelines  for  the  welfare  of  the  children  of  women  inmates.  These  guidelines, inter-alia, provide that the children of inmates should have access to education, recreational  facilities,  food,  shelter  and  medical  assistance  etc.  Model  Prison Manual  2016  also  provides  that  prison  administration  should  ensure  holistic development  of  children  of  women  inmates.  MHA  had  also  circulated  a  report titled 'Women  in Prisons' prepared by the Ministry of  Women  and  Child Development  to  all  States  and  UTs.  The  report,  inter-alia,  contains  specific recommendations on 'children of women prisoners' and 'better living arrangements' for women inmates and their children, etc.

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