Prison Reform in Punjab: ‘Aam Aadmi Clinic’ opens at Patiala Jail; Library for inmates announced

May 2, 2026

To transform the landscape of Punjab’s prisons, the Mann government has introduced a new model of reform. Holding a press conference, Jail Minister Ravjot Singh announced that an ‘Aam Aadmi Clinic’ and a library have been inaugurated at Patiala Jail with the aim of integrating prisoners into the social mainstream and providing them with improved amenities.

In the near future, similar libraries will be established in other prisons across the state as well. The government has also implemented a new system for undertrial prisoners. Offenses have now been categorized into ‘Major’ (serious) and ‘Minor’ (petty) categories. The primary objective of this classification is to shield prisoners incarcerated for minor offenses from the influence of hardened criminals, while simultaneously improving overall prison management.

Four Major Steps Towards Prison Reform:

1. Legal Aid: Prisoners are being provided with the services of Legal Advisors to ensure they receive legal assistance and can maintain contact with their families.
2. Rights for Foreign Prisoners: There will be no discrimination against foreign nationals convicted of crimes; they, too, will receive the same facilities and legal aid as their Indian counterparts.
3. New Legislation: The Minister stated that this bill has been introduced to safeguard the human rights of individuals held in custody, ensuring that upon their release after serving their sentences, they are accorded dignity and respect within society.
4. Crackdown on Corruption: No laxity or misconduct will be tolerated at any level within the Jail Department. Should even an officer of the department itself be found guilty of wrongdoing, strict disciplinary action will be taken against them.

Zero Tolerance for Corruption

Jail Minister Ravjot Singh expressed his gratitude to Chief Minister Bhagwant Mann for introducing—and successfully passing—this long-pending legislation. “Our goal is to transform prisons from mere houses of punishment into centers of reformation,” the Minister affirmed. He issued a stern warning that immediate action would be taken in response to any complaints emanating from within the prisons. He further clarified that anyone found violating the rules—regardless of whether they are an officer of the department or not will not be spared.