PANAJI
The government on Monday tabled the Goa Prisons and Correctional Services Bill, 2026, proposing a comprehensive law to replace the existing prison legislation, with tougher measures against contraband, mobile phones and organised criminal activity.
The Bill, tabled by Chief Minister Pramod Sawant, also proposes introducing provisions for rehabilitation and open prisons.
Amid repeated instances of smuggling of phones and their illegal usage within the premises, the Bill proposes making possession or use of mobile phones and other electronic communication devices inside prisons a cognizable and non-bailable offence, punishable with imprisonment of up to three years and a fine of up to Rs 25,000.
The legislation also covers prison management, prisoner discipline and security, prevention of organised crime from within prisons, surveillance of high-risk inmates, contraband control, open and semi-open correctional institutions, skill development, vocational training, human rights and rehabilitation.
“No prisoner, visitor or prison official would be permitted to possess or use prohibited communication devices, introduce or remove prohibited articles, supply them to inmates or facilitate unauthorised communication. Officials knowingly allowing such activities would also face punishment,” it said.
A separate provision has proposed a minimum two-year imprisonment, extendable to three years, with a fine of up to Rs 25,000, for possession, operation or use of electronic or wireless communication devices, their components or ancillaries. It also covers those assisting, abetting or instigating their supply and persons manipulating, damaging or destroying prison equipment. Any sentence imposed on a prisoner under these provisions would run after completion of the sentence already being served.
The Bill further places responsibility for maintaining discipline on the officer-in-charge of every prison. Prisoners would be required to obey lawful orders and comply with the Act and rules.
Open prisons, rehabilitation
The government would be empowered to establish open and semi-open correctional institutions, with facilities and concessions to help prisoners reintegrate into society. Eligibility, transfer procedures and consequences for violating transfer conditions would be prescribed through rules.
Surveillance of high-risk inmates
The proposed law has called for enhanced intelligence gathering and surveillance of high-risk, hardened and habitual offenders to prevent gang activity, organised crime, witness intimidation and criminal operations from inside prisons.
“Prison authorities would gather intelligence, monitor inmates and analyse information in coordination with the State Police Intelligence Wing. High-risk barracks and cells would be subjected to periodic searches for contraband and mobile phones, advanced jamming solutions and frequent surprise checks,” the Bill states.
Staff deployed in sensitive barracks and cells would also be rotated periodically to prevent the development of inmate-staff nexuses and complacency.
The release of high-risk, hardened or habitual offenders after sentence, undertrials released on bail and inmates temporarily released on parole or furlough would have to be reported to the concerned district Superintendent of Police for monitoring. The district administration would secure their movement when taken to courts, hospitals or other places under lawful orders.
The government said the Bill draws from the Model Prisons and Correctional Services Act, 2023, circulated by the Union Ministry, seeking to consolidate prison laws while introducing reformatory provisions and protecting prisoners’ basic human rights.
The legislation comes amid criticism over alleged illegal activities at Colvale Correctional Home.
