The idea that prisoners should remain behind bars and be punished rather than being reformed and rehabilitated has changed little. It can be inferred that the infrastructure is underused or inadequate in the states that do have OCIs or overcrowding in prisons would not be a problem everywhere. The OCIs allow prisoners to inhabit open barracks, do agricultural or other work, even stay with their families but return to the prison at night, all under monitoring. That the system is underused is clear from the Supreme Court’s condemnation of the low inclusion of women in OCIs, seen as blatant gender discrimination. The Supreme Court’s directions are a reminder of not just the need for but also the scale of reforms needed.

Source: The Telegraph March 07, 2026 03:04 UTC