An ideal prison must
provide for adequate work, vocational training, basic educational, medical and
recreational facilities for inmates. The prison management should be made
functional, effective and goal-oriented so as to prove itself as an effective.
agency of the criminal justice administration. The ultimate object of prison
institution should be to reform the offender rather than to torture him. As
pointed out by Dr. Sethna, prisons should be moral hospitals or place of
re-education, but they should not be so comfortable as to be attractive (as in
western countries)
Criminal behaviour is a personality maladjustment and
thus a long-range psychotherapy ‘behaviour modification’ is needed. A careful
individualized study, treatment and training of offenders, using the techniques
of medicine, psychiatry etc. providing education, vocational guidance and
recreation facilities are thus the essential components, of a rehabilitation
programme for a criminal and juvenile delinquent. Various such measures are
discussed below-
i) Classification of offenders –
It is necessary for the individualized treatment. Classification may may be
done at the two stages: firstly at the time of determining which particular
type of prison the offender is to be sent, and, secondly within a given prison
the offenders are classified through medical, psychological examinations, etc.
In India, the prisoners are classified on the basis of age, sex, metal health,
nature of offence, and whether a casual or habitual (professional or
non-professional) offender.
In
the modern context, social defence, namely, the protection of society from
criminals is the prime object of punishment, while classification of prisoners
for treatment is the method of it. The classification of offenders further
helps to prevent the interning 10g of young and first offenders with the
hardened criminals.
ii) Prison education-
It should have the following components-
(a) Fundamental academic education for illiterate
prisoners to help them in everyday life.
(b) Vocational education, designed to give training
for an occupation.,
(c) Health education, designed to teach the
fundamentals of personal and community health.
(d) Socio-cultural and religious education (for
intellectual or aesthetic satisfaction).
iii) Prison labour and industry:-
These serves as a means to achieve certain skills in the which, apart from
disciplining him, shall be helpful to him in finding some vocation after
release. Also, prisoners can earn wages while in prison. However, often
prisoners are not interested in learning the trade either due to the lack of
aptitude or to its irrelevance after release. Even the prison administration
shows a lukewarm attitude towards such programmes.
iv)
After-care
programs:– A prisoner often
finds it difficult to adjust to the outside world after release.
After-care has two connotations. In its narrower sense, it is like probation
i.e. released person but under the care of a probation officer performing the
role of a social worker. In its wider sense, it implies all efforts to enable
the prisoner to overcome various social, psychological and economic problems
after his release. After-care is the process which carries him from the
restricted environment of the prison to the satisfactory rehabilitation in the
society.
The
help (post-release assistance) generally offered in India relates to family
welfare, financial assistance, employment and basic necessities (food, shelter
and clothing). However, providing employment to exprisoners is the most
difficult task. ‘Prisoner-aid-society’ are hostels which look after the
prisoners after their release (half-way homes, link between prison and
community). However, such hostels are very few, also criminals remain in them
at their will. In U.P., Crime Prevention Society is carrying on the after-care
work.
v)
Women
Prisoners:- They should be treated more generously and allowed
to meet their children frequently. This will keep them mentally fit -arid
respond favourably to me treatment methods. A liberal correctional and
educational programme seems necessary in case of women delinquents because they
need lesser control and custody due to their feminine temperament. Separate and
exclusive prisons for them with prison staff comprising of women only is the
foremost necessity (which is lacking in India).
Courtesy:-
Legal Point Foundation
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