In response to Lok Sabha Unstarred Question No. 406, answered on December 2, 2025, regarding open and semi-open prisons, the Minister of State in the Ministry of Home Affairs (Shri Bandi Sanjay Kumar) stated the following:
The National Crime Records Bureau (NCRB) compiles prison statistics reported by States and Union Territories (UTs) and publishes them in its annual "Prison Statistics India" report. The latest report, from 2023, indicates there were 101 Open/Semi-Open prisons in the country as of December 31, 2023.
The administration and management of prisons and prisoners is a direct responsibility of State Governments/UT Administrations, as "Prisons"/"persons detained therein" is a "State-list" subject under Entry 4 of List II of the Seventh Schedule to the Constitution of India. States/UTs are competent to decide on establishing Open/Semi-Open prisons in their jurisdictions. The Ministry of Home Affairs (MHA) prepared a Model Prison Manual 2016, shared with all States and UTs in May 2016, containing a specific chapter on “Open Institutions”, which provides detailed provisions about the establishment and administration of Open prisons. MHA also prepared a "Model Prisons and Correctional Services Act" in 2023 and shared it with all States and UTs to enable them to make use of the guidance provided therein relating to prisons and prisoner management. The Model Act also provides for the establishment and administration of Open and Semi-Open Correctional Institutions.
Key Entities Referenced
Constitution of India: The constitutional framework that assigns the subject of 'Prisons' to the State List (List II, Entry 4, Seventh Schedule).
Model Prison Manual 2016: A manual prepared by the Ministry of Home Affairs (MHA) containing provisions for the establishment and administration of open prisons.
Model Prisons and Correctional Services Act: An Act prepared by the MHA providing guidance for prisons and prisoner management, including the establishment and administration of open and semi-open correctional institutions.
Ministry of Home Affairs (MHA): The Union ministry responsible for preparing and sharing the Model Prison Manual 2016 and the Model Prisons and Correctional Services Act with States and UTs.
National Crime Records Bureau (NCRB): Compiles and publishes prison statistics in its annual publication 'Prison Statistics India'.
GOVERNMENT OF INDIA
MINISTRY OF HOME AFFAIRS
LOK SABHA
UNSTARRED QUESTION NO. 406
TO BE ANSWERED ON THE 2ND DECEMBER, 2025/ AGRAHAYANA 11, 1947
(SAKA)
OPEN PRISONS AND SEMI-OPEN PRISONS
406. DR. THIRUMAAVALAVAN THOLKAPPIYAN:
Will the Minister of HOME AFFAIRS be pleased to state:
(a) the details and the number of open prisons and semi-open prisons in
the country;
(b) whether the Government has any policy proposal to direct/encourage
increase in the open prisons/semi-open prisons; and
(c) if so, the details thereof?
ANSWER
MINISTER OF STATE IN THE MINISTRY OF HOME AFFAIRS
(SHRI BANDI SANJAY KUMAR)
(a): The National Crime Records Bureau (NCRB) compiles prison statistics
reported to it by the States and Union Territories (UTs) and publishes the
same in its annual publication “Prison Statistics India”. The latest
published report is of the year 2023. There were 101 Open/Semi-Open
prisons in the country as on 31.12.2023.
(b) and (c): “Prisons”/“persons detained therein” is a “State-list” subject
under Entry 4 of List II of the Seventh Schedule to the Constitution of
India. The administration and management of prisons and prisoners is the
direct responsibility of respective State Governments/UT Administrations,-2-
L.S.US.Q.NO. 406 FOR 02.12.2025
who are competent to take decisions for establishing Open/Semi-Open
prisons in their respective jurisdictions. However, the Ministry of Home
Affairs (MHA) had prepared a Model Prison Manual 2016 and had shared it
with all States and UTs in May, 2016. The Model Prison Manual 2016 has a
specific chapter on “Open Institutions”, which provides detailed
provisions about establishment and administration of Open prisons. MHA
has also prepared a “Model Prisons and Correctional Services Act” in the
year 2023 and has shared it with all States and UTs for enabling them to
make use of the guidance provided therein relating to prisons and
prisoner management. The Model Act also provides for establishment and
administration of Open and Semi-Open Correctional Institutions.
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