Prisoners in Jharkhand Allowed to Work Outside Jails; Must Return in the Evening

Jharkhand government approves new reform scheme to help inmates earn a livelihood for their families

Ranchi, August 31: In a major penal reform initiative, the Jharkhand government will allow selected prison inmates to step outside correctional facilities during the day to work and earn a livelihood for their families. However, after completing their day’s work, prisoners must mandatorily return to the jail premises by evening. The state cabinet recently approved the proposal, and its implementation is set to begin soon.

In the initial phase, this facility will be introduced across four central jails in the state by creating dedicated ‘open’ and ‘semi-open’ barracks. The selected facilities include Birsa Munda Central Jail in Ranchi, Loknayak Jayaprakash Narayan Central Jail in Hazaribag, Ghaghidih Central Jail in East Singhbhum, and Dumka Central Jail. Special barracks and cells have already been designated within these four central jails to accommodate inmates under this scheme.

Inspector General of Prisons, Sudhir Mandal, stated that under the new system, prisoners can step out between 6:00 AM and 7:00 AM to work and earn a living for themselves and their families, returning to jail after 12 hours. Since all four central jails are situated in urban centers, inmates are expected to find better employment opportunities.

The state cabinet approved the initiative through a official notification in accordance with Supreme Court directives. Provisions for establishing open correctional homes were enacted under the Jharkhand Jail and Reformative Services Act, 2025, following the apex court’s guidelines in the Suhas Chakma vs. Union of India case.