Support to Poor Prisoners Scheme
Launched by the Ministry of Home Affairs in 2023, the Support to Poor Prisoners Scheme aims to ensure that undertrial prisoners and convicts are not kept behind bars solely due to poverty. The scheme provides financial aid of up to ₹40,000 per undertrial and ₹25,000 per convict to meet bail or fine requirements.
The Issue
- Hundreds of prisoners in Punjab remain in jail even after being granted bail, unable to furnish sureties or pay small fines.
- The Hon’ble Supreme Court has directed that such prisoners must be identified and released.
- The Punjab & Haryana High Court, in Sunpreet Singh v. UOI, mandated that this scheme be implemented “to the hilt.”
- As per official responses, while 88 undertrial prisoners were discussed by Faridkot’s Empowered Committee, not a single rupee has yet been disbursed under the scheme.
Our Efforts at JanNyay
- On 21 May 2025, we formally wrote to the Superintendent, Central Jail Faridkot and the Chairperson, DLSA Faridkot, seeking details of the scheme’s implementation, funds disbursed, and the status of Aadhaar and e-Prisons integration.
- The Jail confirmed that an Empowered Committee exists and 88 undertrial cases were considered, but admitted that no funds have yet been released under the scheme.
- We continue to press for transparent reporting and digitisation of records, in line with the Supreme Court’s 2024 “Prisons in India” Report, which recommended digital coordination across committees to prevent delays.