The National Commission for Women (NCW) has recommended creating a ‘National Commission for Prisons’ to reform India’s prison system with a focus on gender. The Commission’s Law Review 2025–26 Report on Laws Relating to Women in Prisons suggests various legal and administrative changes to enhance the well-being of women prisoners, pregnant inmates, children in prisons, and transgender detainees.
Led by NCW Chairperson Vijaya Rahatkar, the report advocates for a gender-responsive and rights-based correctional system. It proposes amendments to multiple laws, including the Model Prisons and Correctional Services Act, 2023, to ensure better conditions for women prisoners and oversight of correctional reforms. An independent statutory National Commission for Prisons is a key recommendation to monitor prison administration and protect prisoner rights, especially focusing on women prisoners.
The NCW conducted extensive consultations nationwide, involving various stakeholders like prison officials, legal experts, and civil society representatives. More than 200 suggestions were received, with 145 incorporated into the final report. The recommendations include healthcare reforms like appointing medical professionals in prisons, mandatory health screenings for women inmates, and specialized healthcare facilities for women with disabilities and chronic illnesses.
The report also addresses mental health concerns among inmates, proposing trauma-informed care systems and comprehensive mental healthcare services. It recommends measures for pregnant women inmates, such as institutional deliveries in external hospitals and enhanced maternity-related benefits. Additionally, the NCW suggests improving visitation facilities for families, skill development programs, and post-release support mechanisms for rehabilitation purposes.
