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The Kerala High Court ruled that satisfactory prison behavior and a positive recommendation from the probation officer are decisive factors in granting parole, even when police raise objections. This reinforces the rehabilitative intent of India’s parole system and empowers correctional authorities to prioritize reform over punitive suspicion.
The Rajasthan High Court has ruled that requiring female convicts to furnish sureties for parole is discriminatory and unconstitutional, affirming that a personal bond alone satisfies legal requirements. This sets a binding precedent for prison reform and gender-sensitive application of parole laws across India, directly impacting thousands of incarcerated women.
Delhi High Court rules that the Delhi Prisons Rules do not impose an outright prohibition on granting simultaneous furlough to co-accused. Courts must exercise discretion with reasoned justification, balancing rehabilitation rights under Article 21 and public safety concerns, even when co-accused are not family members.
The Supreme Court has mandated that every prison in India must implement accessible infrastructure, provide assistive devices, and ensure inclusive education for prisoners with benchmark disabilities under Section 89 of the RPwD Act, 2016. It also requires independent, accessible grievance redressal systems and enhanced visitation rights, transforming custodial rights from aspirational to enforceable constitutional obligations.
Supreme Court mandates expansion of Open Correctional Institutions, uniform minimum standards, and gender-inclusive access to fulfill Article 21 rights and reduce prison overcrowding.