Govt’s Commitment to Prison Reform in Punjab

September 8, 2026

After the Aam Aadmi Party assumed power in Punjab under the leadership of Chief Minister Bhagwant Mann, a vision was formulated to transform the state’s prisons into “model jails.” Prisons are essentially correctional facilities, implying that upon release, inmates should emerge as reformed individuals—productive members of society who steer clear of wrongdoing. Recently, the government submitted a status report regarding the condition of prisons to the Punjab and Haryana High Court. While the report candidly acknowledges certain shortcomings, several new measures are being initiated to establish an ideal correctional environment within Punjab’s prisons. The government has consistently demonstrated its firm commitment to this cause. A key objective is to completely eradicate the drug menace from the prison system. Jammers are being installed to eliminate any possibility of criminal activity or collusion. The government has embraced prison reform as a significant challenge. The Punjab government states that it is formulating a high-priority, effective policy to prevent the spread of drugs among inmates. Simultaneously, measures are being taken to improve healthcare within prisons, ensuring inmates do not suffer from illnesses due to a lack of medical facilities. The government has recently taken several constructive steps in this regard; healthcare facilities have improved significantly, ensuring services reach every segment of the prison population. Furthermore, “open jails” are being established where inmates can manufacture goods through their own enterprise and hard work and sell them in the market. Training is being provided to equip inmates with the necessary skills in this field. Earnings generated by inmates through this work will be handed over to them upon their release, enabling them to start new businesses or embark on a fresh life. The High Court has also expressed its support for the government’s initiatives. The Honorable Court has stated that it welcomes the government’s initiative to reform prisons and encourage inmates to engage in productive activities and vocations. While this is undoubtedly a positive beginning, much work remains to be done in this direction—and indeed, such efforts are underway. Given the Punjab government’s commitment, there is every expectation that these efforts will bear fruit and that the state’s prisons will become exemplary models of correctional facilities.