Ganesh (satarkar)
M.A. Sociology, Department of Sociology,
Evolution and Development of Prison and Correctional Systems in India: Historical Roots, Institutional Practices, and Community-Based Approaches
Ganesh (satarkar)November 10, 202510.5281/zenodo.175732709 pages
M.A. Sociology, Department of Sociology,
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The prison system, as an integral part of the criminal justice mechanism, has evolved from institutions of punishment to centers of reform and rehabilitation. This transformation reflects a broader change in penal philosophy from retributive to reformative justice. This paper provides a comprehensive analysis of the development of major prison systems— Penitentiary, Pennsylvania, and Auburn—and examines their historical influence on correctional ideologies worldwide. The evolution of the Indian prison system is analyzed through colonial legacies, post-independence reforms, and contemporary correctional frameworks. It discusses institutional treatment, classification of prisoners, prison types, and living conditions. The paper also explores correctional programmes such as education, vocational training, and participatory governance through prison panchayats. It examines community-based alternatives like probation, parole, and aftercare services under the Probation of Offenders Act, 1958. Finally, the study evaluates current challenges in correctional administration—overcrowding, custodial violence, mental health neglect, and infrastructural deficits—and offers suggestions for a more humane, rehabilitative, and effective correctional system aligned with international human rights standards.
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