BHOPAL: Madhya Pradesh comes up as the top state in India in providing financial help to poor prisoners for bail and fines, the state Chief Minister Mohan Yadav said during a meeting with Jail Department officials at his residence, Samatva Bhavan, in Bhopal.

During the review meeting on Wednesday night, CM Yadav said that under this initiative, prisoners from economically weaker backgrounds receive up to Rs.25,000 to pay their fines. So far, Madhya Pradesh has approved Rs6,43,517 to help 31 prisoners with bail and fines, making it the first state in India to take such a step, according to an official release.

The CM also pointed out that Madhya Pradesh is leading in implementing Section 479 of the Bharatiya Nagarik Suraksha Sanhita (BNSS). This law needs jail superintendents to apply for bail on behalf of prisoners who have completed half or one-third of their sentence. As of now, 78 cases have been sent to court under this provision, leading to the release of 46 prisoners.
Chief Minister Yadav also said that the Jail Department for this achievement and directed officials to strengthen prison security. He also urged them to focus on the rehabilitation of inmates through educational and moral programs.

E-Prison System and Jail Reforms

Officials informed the Chief Minister that the E-Prison Management System is now active in all jails across the state, keeping prisoner records updated. So far, the system has recorded 13,17,303 prisoner admissions, including older data, and details of more than 1,31,000 prisoners have been uploaded to the Interoperable Criminal Justice System.. Since the implementation of new criminal laws on July 1, 2024, a total of 48,139 prisoners have been registered under the E-Prison system.

To further improve the jail system, officials proposed granting early release to well-behaved prisoners every year on Janjatiya Gaurav Diwas (November 15). CM Yadav approved this proposal, stating that prisoners with good behavior should be given special remission on this day.

The Chief Minister also said the need to expand open prisons, which provide inmates with a sense of freedom. He said,jails should not just be places for punishment but also centers for reformation and rehabilitation.

To help prisoners reintegrate into society, CM Yadav called for skill development programs, yoga, spiritual education, and counseling sessions in prisons. He also urged social and religious organizations to participate in these efforts, so that that inmates can live a dignified life after their release.