NHRC national conference on human rights of prison inmates; to prepare advisory on prison reforms
The National Human Rights Commission held a national conference on the human rights of prison inmates in New Delhi (PIB, 17 October 2025); Chairperson Justice V. Ramasubramanian said the Commission will issue an advisory on prison reforms.
Summary
The National Human Rights Commission (NHRC), India, held a National Conference on 'Human Rights of Prison Inmates' in New Delhi, PIB reported on 17 October 2025. Suggestions covered rehabilitation, decongestion of jails, correctional services, mental health, women prisoners and their children, and de-addiction. NHRC Chairperson Justice V. Ramasubramanian said the Commission will work on an advisory to central and state governments on prison reforms and a mechanism to monitor progress. Citing NCRB's Prison Statistics India 2022, he said prison occupancy rose from 118% of capacity in 2020 (1,306 prisons) to 131.4% in 2022 (1,330 prisons). He cited a UNODC report that the global prison population reached 11.5 million in 2022, and the Model Prisons and Correctional Services Act prepared by the Union Government in 2023.
Key facts
- Organiser
- NHRC, India — New Delhi
- Chairperson
- Justice V. Ramasubramanian
- Outcome
- Advisory to Centre and states on prison reforms; monitoring mechanism
- Occupancy
- 118% (2020, 1,306 prisons) → 131.4% (2022, 1,330 prisons) — NCRB PSI 2022
- Global
- 11.5 million prisoners in 2022 (UNODC)
- Model law
- Model Prisons and Correctional Services Act, 2023
Practice MCQs 2 questions
According to NCRB's Prison Statistics India 2022, cited at the NHRC conference, what was the occupancy rate of Indian prisons in 2022?
Show answer
Correct answer: B — 131.4%
PIB: the occupancy rate rose to 131.4% of the actual capacity of 1,330 prisons in 2022, from 118% in 2020.
Consider the following statements in the context of the NHRC conference on prison inmates (October 2025): 1. The Model Prisons and Correctional Services Act was prepared by the Union Government in 2023. 2. Justice V. Ramasubramanian is the Chairperson of the NHRC. Which of the statements given above is/are correct?
Show answer
Correct answer: C — Both 1 and 2
Both are correct. PIB: Justice Ramasubramanian, NHRC Chairperson, cited the 'Model Prisons and Correctional Services Act' prepared by the Union Government in 2023.