Need 6 months to complete 'model prison manual': Govt to HC

Mumbai: Maharashtra Government informed the Bombay High Court today that it was currently drafting a model prison manual to encompass all important issues governing prisoners in jails and sought six months’ time to formulate such rules. A bench headed by Justice P V Hardas was hearing a PIL filed by Sachin Khambe, lodged in Nashik Central prison, seeking a direction to the state government to come out with a model prison manual. Additional Public Prosecutor Prajakta Shinde informed the court that the process of drafting the manual was currently on and the state would require six months to complete the same and come out with the document. [caption id=“attachment_1064659” align=“alignleft” width=“380”]  This image of the Yerwada Jail has been used for representational purposes only. AFP. [/caption] She further said that 46 files had been received from the office of Inspector General of Prisons to incorporate important rules in the manual. Accepting her statement, the court disposed of the PIL. The petitioner’s lawyer N N Gawankar contended that the existing rules do not cover certain areas such as food, clothing, discipline and facilities for prisoners in jails. The petitioner urged the court to ask the government to come out with a comprehensive manual for the overall welfare of prisoners. PTI