Mumbai: In an overhaul of colonial-era prison laws, the legislative council on Wednesday passed a progressive prison reforms bill—Maharashtra Prisons and Correctional Services Bill, 2025—focused on rehabilitation and reintegration.The bill provides for ‘open prisons’ and ‘open colonies’ to ease inmates back into society, along with structured after-care services to ensure they can rebuild their lives with dignity. The reforms, according to govt, would make prisons “centres of correction, not mere confinement”.
The bill was passed by the assembly during the winter session. It will now be sent for the governor’s assent and thereafter for the President’s ratification. The proposed law seeks to replace Prisons Act, 1894, and Prisoners Act, 1900. Some opposition leaders like Shiv Sena (UBT)’s Anil Parab opposed it, claiming the reforms are not achievable. The bill proposes a grievance redressal mechanism, non-discrimination clauses prohibiting caste-based segregation in prison work, and safeguards for prisoners with disabilities, including access to psychiatric and psychological care. It also mandates special provisions for women and transgender inmates, including separate women’s wards in prison hospitals, and provides for segregation based on categories such as undertrials, convicts, high-security inmates and young offenders to address specific needs. To speed up justice delivery, the bill proposes setting up undertrial review committees in every district that will look at pending cases periodically and recommend appropriate action to trial courts. Provisions for furlough and parole have been codified with clear eligibility norms. On the administrative front, the bill provides for the constitution of a dedicated prisons force and welfare funds for staff and inmates. Technology-driven management, including biometrics, CCTV surveillance, RFID tracking and integration with the interoperable criminal justice system, aims to enhance transparency and security. The state govt said the bill draws from the Centre’s Model Prisons Bill, 2023, and is intended to create safer prisons, support police efficiency and ultimately reduce recidivism.
