Chandigarh, Jan 14: A dedicated jail reform committee will now oversee the implementation of premature release and remission for inmates in Punjab, Haryana, and Chandigarh, the Punjab and Haryana High Court announced today. The move follows a directive from the Supreme Court aimed at streamlining the release process and protecting the rights of eligible prisoners.
Chief Justice Sheel Nagu mentioned that the high court’s existing panel is the best-equipped body to manage this oversight. He noted that the initiative is intended to reduce the burden on the prison system while ensuring that state-level policies are applied objectively and transparently.
“A committee has already been constituted for looking into the jail reforms,” the Chief Justice said. He added that the panel will now be responsible for supervising how the regional administrations manage the release of convicts who have completed their required terms.
The court noted that legal representatives for Punjab and Haryana indicated their readiness to submit detailed reports on the matter. The bench has directed that these documents be submitted within the next two weeks to maintain the momentum of the reform drive.
The Supreme Court’s push for these reforms highlights the need for a division bench in every high court to actively monitor prison administration. Authorities noted that the goal is to prevent convicts from remaining incarcerated longer than necessary due to bureaucratic hurdles or a lack of policy clarity.
“A Division Bench shall be constituted to monitor and supervise the implementation of the remission and premature release policies of the respective States,” the Supreme Court’s previous order had clarified.
The High Court will review the progress of the implementation and the state affidavits during the next hearing on February 2.
