Prison tag: On a viable means of decongesting prisons
The suggestion for the introduction of electronic tracking of prisoners granted parole or furlough may merit consideration as a viable means of decongesting prisons. The idea of having a pilot programme to make undertrials who pose low or moderate risk wear devices that will track and restrict their movements has been mooted in a research report of the Supreme Court of India’s Centre for Research and Planning. This is not the first time the use of electronic tracking has been considered, though. The Model Prisons and Correctional Services Act, 2023, contains a provision that says “prisoners may be granted prison leave on the condition of their willingness to wear electronic tracking devices” so that their movement and activities may be monitored. It speaks of cancelling the leave in case o...