Mandate & Legal Background
The High-Powered Committee for Reform and Governance of Open Correctional Institutions has been constituted under the directions of the Hon’ble Supreme Court of India in the landmark case below to address nationwide systemic prison reforms.
Supreme Court Judgment Reference: Suhas Chakma vs. Union of India, Writ Petition (C) NO. 1082 OF 2020, 2026 INSC 198, mandating national "Common Minimum Standards".
The Hon'ble Supreme Court recognized that despite earlier policy measures, wide disparities continued across States and Union Territories in eligibility criteria, infrastructure, rehabilitation measures, women's access, and overall institutional governance of Open Correctional Institutions.
Core Mandate & Key Objectives
Common Minimum Standards
Drafting national standards for governance, administration, and management of OCIs across all States and Union Territories.
Standardized Eligibility Protocols
Establishing reform-oriented transfer criteria based on inmate "reformative potential" rather than static confinement periods.
Gender Inclusion Guidelines
Formulating gender-sensitive access guidelines to eliminate historical structural barriers excluding women prisoners from open institutions.
Audit Mechanisms
Designing systemic monitoring tools to evaluate infrastructure utilization and rehabilitative effectiveness continually.
Committee Leadership & Members
Justice S. Ravindra Bhat
Executive Chairperson
Former Judge, Supreme Court of India
| Role | Member Designation | Official Contact |
|---|---|---|
| Member Secretary | Ms. Shikha Srivastava Ld. Officer on Special Duty, NALSA |
shikha.srivastava@aij.gov.in |
| Committee Member | Shri Alok Kumar Mittal, IPS Director General, BPR&D |
dg@bprd.nic.in |
| Committee Member | Dr KPA Ilyas, IPS Deputy Director/DIG (R&CA Division)BPR&D |
kpa.ilyas@bprd.nic.in ddres@bprd.nic.in |
| Committee Member | Ms. Manmeet Kaur Nanda Additional Secretary, Department of Empowerment of Persons with Disabilities |
manmeet.nanda@ias.nic.in |
| Committee Member | Ms. Hena Usman Joint Secretary, Ministry of Skill Development and Entrepreneurship |
hena.usman@nic.in |
| Committee Member | Ms. Pratima Gupta Deputy Director General, Department of Social Justice and Empowerment, Ministry of Social Justice and Empowerment |
ddg-dosje@gov.in |
| Committee Member | Shri Suhas Warke, IPS ADG of Police & IG of Prisons |
igprison.pune-mh@gov.in |
| Committee Member | Shri Varun Kapoor, IPS DG Prisons & Correctional Services |
dgjails@mp.gov.in |
Reporting Framework Timeline
The High-Powered Committee is mandated to submit its comprehensive report and draft "Common Minimum Standards" to the Supreme Court within 6 months of its first meeting.