CSR-Funded Jails: Supreme Court Suggestions To Centre

The Supreme Court of India on Thursday made an original idea to improve the lives of convicts in response to the problematic conditions of jails around the nation. 
 
Private prisons were proposed by a bench led by Justice KM Joseph, who also urged that large corporations construct prisons as part of their CSR initiatives. 
 
In Europe, there is a concept of private responsibility. “Next is CSR, you can have jails built by corporates, an alarming rate of undertrials. They will build it and give it,” Justice Joseph told Solicitor General of India Tushar Mehta. “There is a study of prisons. It’s one of the lowest priorities for any govt. They have hospitals and schools to build. 
 
The Justice Joseph said, “This will ensure that the State exchequer is not burned!” adding that corporations might possibly get smaller income tax breaks. 
 
Then, a new idea will emerge, moving from anticipatory bail to anticipatory jail, joked Justice Hrishikesh Roy, who was also a member of the Bench.

Supreme Court

When the Bench was debating a plea filed by Gautam Navlakha asking to be transferred from Taloja Jail to house arrest due to health reasons, the topic of overcrowding in jails and a lack of amenities came up. The Court mandated today that he be sent to the KEM Hospital in Mumbai for a colonoscopy and to address his skin allergy-related medical issues. You can get a thorough report on today’s hearing here. 
 
According to Solicitor General Tushar Mehta, “It’s like a resort; they have an adjacent bathroom, TV, and everything.” 
 
Justice Joseph stated, “Their philosophy is that no one is beyond redemption. 
 
Justice Roy also emphasized that going to prisoners is an excellent way to learn about the reality on the ground. 
 
Justice Joseph asked the SG to check into the situation whenever he had the chance as the case came to a close. 
 
On October 21, the subject will be heard again.