UP Sanctions Rs 4.59 Crore for Three Open Prisons After Allahabad High Court Intervention

Prayagraj: In a significant step towards expanding the open prison system in Uttar Pradesh, the state government has earmarked Rs 4.59 crore for establishing three additional Open Correctional Institutions (OCIs), following sustained judicial scrutiny over delays in implementing the programme.

The funding decision was communicated to the Allahabad High Court by Rajendra Pensiya, Special Secretary in the Jail Administration and Reform

Department, during the hearing of a public interest litigation concerning the expansion and effective functioning of open prisons.

A division bench comprising Justice Saumitra Dayal Singh and Justice Swarupama Chaturvedi was informed that the government had formally approved the expenditure and made the necessary budgetary provisions through a government order issued on November 2, 2026.

The proposed institutions will be established at three locations.

The Central Jail in Fatehgarh will have accommodation for 100 prisoners, Nari Bandi Niketan in Lucknow will provide facilities for 50 women inmates, while the District Jail in Gautam Buddh Nagar will house another 80 prisoners.

Collectively, the three centres will create capacity for 230 inmates.

High Court wants more than financial approval

While taking the government’s compliance affidavit on record, the High Court made it clear that the allocation of funds alone would not be sufficient to establish compliance with the broader objective of the open prison programme.

In its November 4 order, the bench stressed that the government must provide a concrete schedule covering both the construction of the proposed facilities and the subsequent transfer of eligible prisoners to these institutions.

The court noted that the Additional Advocate General had assured it that the projects would be taken forward without unnecessary delay.

However, the judges emphasised that such assurances must be backed by definite commitments and a clear implementation strategy.

The bench directed the Special Secretary to submit another affidavit detailing the arrangements for executing the projects.

The government has been asked to disclose which agency will undertake the work, what construction activities are required, and how much time will be needed to make all three institutions operational.

Importantly, the court also wants the administration to explain what steps have been taken, or are being planned, to identify prisoners eligible for placement in open correctional facilities.

The objective is to ensure that suitable inmates can be accommodated as soon as the new centres are ready, rather than allowing the facilities to remain unused after construction.

Open prisons under judicial scrutiny

The proceedings originate from a public interest litigation registered earlier this year following directions issued by the Supreme Court.

The apex court had called for comprehensive measures to improve the utilisation of existing open correctional institutions and facilitate their expansion across the country.

Open prisons are intended to provide eligible inmates with a less restrictive correctional environment, allowing them greater opportunities for rehabilitation, social reintegration and preparation for life outside prison.

The Uttar Pradesh government has faced repeated questions from the High Court over the pace of establishing additional facilities.

The latest funding approval marks progress, but the court is now seeking measurable action to ensure that the proposed institutions become functional within a stipulated period.

The matter will next be heard on November 20, when the state government is expected to place further details before the court.