Chandigarh, Feb 2: To monitor jail reforms, the Punjab and Haryana High Court has called for a detailed breakdown of the yardsticks used to grant remission to prisoners. The court on Monday directed Punjab and Haryana to file a joint affidavit and comparative chart after observing that the two states are not following a uniform policy for premature releases.
The proceedings were initiated after the Supreme Court took suo motu cognisance of prison management issues, tasking regional High Courts with the supervision of these policies. Punjab currently follows a 2017 Premature Release Policy, whereas Haryana relies on the Haryana Prison Rules of 2022.
The Bench mentioned that the Union Territory of Chandigarh follows the Punjab model, but the different executive instructions used by Haryana create a need for a side-by-side comparison. The goal of this judicial oversight is to ensure fairness and reduce delays or overcrowding within the prison system.
“It appears that the Union Territory, Chandigarh, follows the policy of the State of Punjab, while the State of Haryana follows a different policy,” the court recorded in its order. The Bench further mentioned, “It is, thus, directed that the State of Haryana and Punjab shall jointly prepare a comparative chart in respect of the eligibility prescribed under the respective executive instructions and the rules.”
