Maharashtra tables prison reform bill with focus on rehabilitation, reintegration
Besides providing for open prisons and open colonies to assist prisoners in their rehabilitation and reintegration into the society, the bill also provides for prison segregation of various categories of prisoners and for their special needs.
The bill has provided for special provisions relating to women prisoners, transgender prisoners, including separate women wards in prison hospital. (File Photo)
Incorporating provisions for ‘open prisons’ and ‘open colonies’ to assist prisoners in their rehabilitation and reintegration into the society after their release, the state government on Saturday introduced the Maharashtra Prisons and Correctional Services Bill, 2025, to consolidate laws relating to prisons, prisoners and correctional services which provide for different categories of prison, dedicated force and repeal the pre-independence The Prisons Act, 1894 and the Prisoners Act, 1900. The bill also provides for the constitution of the Prisons Force, headed by the Director General of Prisons and Correctional Services.
According to the proposed Bill, categories of prisons include central prison (with a capacity of 800 and more), District prison Class I (300 to 799 prisoners), district prison class II (151 to 299), district prison class III (51 to 150), special prison, open prison, prison for women, temporary prison, open colony and Borstal Institution.
Besides providing for open prisons and open colonies to assist prisoners in their rehabilitation and reintegration into the society, the bill also provides for prison segregation of various categories of prisoners and for their special needs such as female, transgender, undertrial prisoners, convicted prisoners, high-security prisoners, habitual offenders, recidivist prisoners, young offenders, civil prisoners, etc.
The bill has provided for special provisions relating to women prisoners, transgender prisoners, including separate women wards in prison hospital and after care rehabilitation services to all needy prisoners released from a prison with a view to ensure their rehabilitation and reintegration into society.
The bill has a provision for constitution of ‘Undertrial Review Committees’ for every district to conduct periodical review of all undertrials in all the prisons in the district, take measures for speedy disposal of cases and make appropriate recommendations to the trial courts and ensure there is no discrimination in the classification, segregation and allotment of any duty or work in prison on the basis of caste of prisoners and on the ground of disability of prisoners, and provide appropriate healthcare, including psychiatric and psychological services as well as access to rehabilitation program therapies.
“With the passage of time and evolution of the ideology of reformation and rehabilitation of prisoners and information technology, these pre-independence archaic laws need to be repealed and replaced by a consolidated, progressive and robust Act which is in tune with contemporary modern day needs and correctional ideology,” said the statement of Objective and Reason.
Alok Deshpande is a Special Correspondent with The Indian Express' Mumbai bureau, recognized for his focused and authoritative reporting on governance, politics, and the socio-economic dynamics of Maharashtra's hinterlands. His unique academic background in Geology and early work in the water sector provides a specialized layer of Expertise to his reporting on resource and environmental issues.
Expertise
Current Role: Special Correspondent, The Indian Express, Mumbai.
Core Authority: Alok provides detailed coverage of Maharashtra politics and governance, with a particular emphasis on how policies and power struggles affect the rural and semi-urban areas (the 'hinterlands').
Key Coverage Areas: His reports frequently focus on high-stakes administrative and political topics, including:
State Assembly Proceedings: In-depth reporting on the Legislative Assembly, covering ministerial statements, legislative debates, and inter-party conflict within the ruling Mahayuti alliance.
Policy & Finance: Coverage of state finances, including supplementary budget demands, fiscal deficits, and major government schemes (e.g., Jal Jeevan Mission, Ladki Bahin Yojana).
Rural and Social Issues: Reports on critical health issues (e.g., child deaths in districts), human-animal conflict (leopard attacks, stray dogs), and agrarian concerns (e.g., farmer suicides).
Local and Urban Governance: Covers major announcements regarding urban development (e.g., BMC's OC amnesty scheme, pagdi system push) and local body elections, including political defections and alliance splits.
Unique Credentials & Trustworthiness
Academic Specialization: Holds a Post-graduate degree in Geology. This background gives him a foundational understanding of natural resources, which directly informs his reporting on environment, water, and infrastructure projects.
Early Professional Experience: His shift to journalism came after working with an NGO focused on the water sector. This practical experience strengthens his Expertise in critical areas like water management and rural development, as evidenced by his reporting on the Jal Jeevan Mission.
Journalism Training: An alumnus of the prestigious Asian College of Journalism (ACJ), Chennai, confirming his formal training and commitment to rigorous journalistic standards.
Alok Deshpande's rare combination of scientific education, non-profit sector experience, and deep political reporting makes him a highly trusted and authoritative voice on the governance and ground realities of Maharashtra.
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