A Roadblock to Reformation: Correctional Homes and Women Inmates in Developing India

Abstract

The colonial era consolidated the prison laws in many commonwealth countries which continues the legacy on similar lines. India is not an exception. Since her independence, the country has grown to become the largest democracy with unique range of diversity and ensuring rights to the people. However, the position of inmates in correctional homes tell a very different story. To combat this, interim measures have been taken by the legislature and the judiciary, but they have fallen miserably short of the constitutional mandates. There has been a sharp rise of women accused but the correctional homes fail to provide basic human rights to the inmates raising questions on all front. Correctional homes definitely require a revamp to provide basic facilities in furtherance of protecting the fundamental rights of the inmates. This study unravels the current scenario of the deplorable condition of correctional homes and sums up specific recommendations to address the problem.

Keywords: Prison Reforms; Inmates; Human rights; Indian Correctional Homes; Women inmates.