Law: Penology

The present prison system in India was originated by T B Macaulay in 1835. A committee namely Prison Discipline Committee (1836) was appointed, which submitted its report on1838. The committee recommended increased rigorousness of treatment while disallowing all humanitarian needs and reforms for the prisoners.  The earlier penological approach held imprisonment, that is, custodial measures to be the only way to control crime. But the modern penological approach has ushered in innovative forms of punishing whereby the requirements of the community are well adjusted with the best interest of the accused. Dr. W C Reckless, a UN Expert on Correctional Work, visited India during the years 1951- 52 to study prison administration in the country and to suggest ways and means of improving it. His report “ Jail Administration in India” is another breakthrough document in the history of prison reforms. He made a suggestion for transforming prisons into reformation centers and advocated establishment of new prisons.  All India Committee on Jail Reforms 1980-83 was constituted by the government of India under the chairmanship of Justice Anand Narain Mulla. The committee suggested setting up of a National Prison Commission as a continuing body to bring about modernization of prisons in India. In 1987, the Government of India appointed the Justice Krishna Iyer Committee to carry out a study on the condition of women inmates in India. It has recommended induction of more women in the police force in view of their special role in tackling women and child offenders.

After  watching this video lecture you will be able to know about the significance of penology, types of punishments, theories and the features of Traditional and modern penological approaches.