The Maharashtra government has approved the establishment of six-member infrastructure assessment committees for prisons. The committee will exist at the district level.
These committees are tasked with looking at the current facilities in prisons. They will assess the capacity of existing prisons. It will then provide recommendations and explore the use of artificial intelligence in prisons.
The Supreme Court of India ordered the formation of these district-level committees on January 30, 2024, to assess the infrastructure needs of prisons. The committees will comprise district judges, district magistrates, commissioners of police or their designees, superintendents of police, superintendents of prisons, and the secretary of the District Legal Services Authority.
The committee will evaluate the current prison system's infrastructure. It will make suggestions to the state government on the number of additional prisons needed in the district. It will also determine whether existing prisons should be upgraded to meet the Model Prison Manual's standards. The committee will also find out if land acquisition is necessary for new prisons.
The committees would also ensure deadlines for current projects were decided. They will stay informed about the progress of all ongoing projects and pending proposals in the district. If a project has not yet begun due to a lack of land, efforts will be made to locate the needed land, and a report will be presented to the Chief Secretary to expedite the process and secure the required clearances.
Lastly, the committees evaluate the need for using artificial intelligence and implementing video conferencing for performing e-mulakaats and appearing in court. It also includes providing telemedicine services for convicts' comfort.
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