Punjab Prisons and Correctional Services Bill 2026 passes with focus on reform, tech and rehabilitation

Punjab currently has 25 jails (including 10 central, six district, four special, five sub-jails, an open jail in Nabha) with a high-security jail under construction in Ludhiana; there are approximately 34,000 inmates against a capacity of 26,000.

Strict penalties are established for offences within prisons. Attempts to escape, threats to officials, or smuggling prohibited items will be treated as serious offences.

Education and skill development are prioritized, with access to education, library facilities and vocational training to aid reintegration, while prison industries will generate employment opportunities with wages based on skills.

The Bill ensures medical facilities in every prison, regular health check-ups, screening for TB, HIV and substance abuse-related conditions, de-addiction centres, and a strong emphasis on mental health care.

It provides for scientific classification of inmates based on age, gender, criminal background, health and behavior, with special arrangements for women, transgender persons, elderly and sick inmates, including separate accommodation, deployment of female staff, and adequate facilities for pregnant women and children.

The Bill proposes high security zones for high-risk inmates to prevent negative influence on others, and the establishment of a dedicated research, analysis and intelligence wing to strengthen internal prison security.

The minister outlined extensive use of technology in prisons, including e-prison systems, digital record management, biometric identification, video conferencing, AI-based CCTV surveillance, RFID tracking, and anti-drone systems to improve transparency and efficiency.

Punjab Jails minister Ravjot Singh said on Saturday, May 2, 2026, that the Bill focuses on transforming prisons from mere confinement into centres of reform, rehabilitation, and social reintegration. He noted provisions to safeguard inmates' human rights, enhance transparency and accountability, and strengthen security mechanisms.

The Punjab Assembly passed the Punjab Prisons and Correctional Services Bill, 2026 on Friday, May 1, 2026, with aims to transform prisons into centres of reform, rehabilitation, and social reintegration, while safeguarding inmates' human rights and improving transparency, accountability, and security.