Women in Prisons: India

This report by the Ministry of Women and Child Development says that prison systems are primarily designed to cater to men and are not well equipped to address the needs of women. The report examines the condition of women in India’s prisons, their rights, the issues they face and how these can be addressed. It combines findings from different studies by the ministry as well as data from other government sources, and makes recommendations to improve the condition of women prisoners. The report finds gaps in the implementation of some laws, rules and guidelines that ensure women prisoners’ safety, health and education. Many women also live in prison with their children (under the age of 6), and the report says that special care should be taken to ensure their physical and mental health, education and recreation. The report recommends that all states and union territories fully adopt and implement the National Model Prison Manual 2016, which outlines the entitlements of women in prison. (In 1997, the Supreme Court had directed the central government to prepare this manual and in 2003, the government circulated it to all the states and union territories and asked them to adopt it. In 2016, the manual was updated by the central government, which subsequently advised the states to update their prison manuals too.) The report also says that the National Commission for Prisons be set up as suggested by the Justice A.N...