Vidhi Codex

The Delhi Prisons Act, 2000

The Delhi Prisons Act, 2000

Criminal200067 sections3 chapters

The Delhi Prisons Act, 2000 establishes the legal framework for the management, administration, and governance of prisons within the National Capital Territory of Delhi. It applies to jail officials, prison staff, visitors, and all detained individuals, including undertrial, convicted, civil, and female prisoners. The law regulates daily prison operations, staff responsibilities, security protocols, prisoner classification, health care, and internal disciplinary procedures. It matters because it shifts correctional administration toward human dignity, health standards, grievance redressal, and prisoner rehabilitation. By establishing standardized rules for prison oversight, it balances safe detention with basic human rights and fair treatment.

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Chapter I PRELIMINARY →

  1. 1Title, extent and commencement

Chapter II ESTABLISHMENT AND OFFICERS OF PRISONS →

  1. 3Accomodation in prisons
  2. 4Power of State Government to appoint Inspector General and other officers and staff
  3. 5Inspector General
  4. 6Officers of prisons
  5. 7Temporary accommodation for prisoners

Chapter III DUTIES OF OFFICERS →

  1. 8Control and duties of officers of prisons
  2. 9Officers not to have business dealing with prisoners and others
  3. 10Officers not to be interested in prison contracts
  4. 11Superintendent and his residence in prison
  5. 12Records to be kept by Superintendent
  6. 13Duties of Medical Officer
  7. 14Medical Officer to report in certain cases
  8. 15Report on death of prisoner
  9. 16Deputy Superintendent to reside in prison
  10. 17Deputy Superintendent to give notice of death of prisoners
  11. 18Responsibility of Deputy Superintendent
  12. 19Deputy Superintendent to be present at night
  13. 20Powers of Assistant Superintendents
  14. 21Duties of gatekeeper
  15. 22Subordinate officer not to be absent without leave
  16. 23Utilisation of the services of prisoners
  17. 24Prisoners to be Examined on Admission
  18. 25Effects of Prisoners
  19. 26Removal and Discharge Prisoners
  20. 27Responsibility of Superintendent
  21. 28Separation of Prisoners
  22. 29Association and segregation of prisoners
  23. 30Prisoners under sentence of death
  24. 31Maintenance of certain prisoners from private sources
  25. 32Restriction on transfer of food and clothing between certain prisoners
  26. 33Supply of clothing and bedding to civil prisoners
  27. 34Employment of civil prisoners
  28. 35Employment of criminal prisoners
  29. 36Employment of criminal prisoners sentenced to simple imprisonment
  30. 37Sick prisoners
  31. 38Record of directions of Medical Officer
  32. 41Search of visitors
  33. 43Penalty for introduction or removal of, into or from prison and communication with prisoners
  34. 44Power to arrest for offence under Section 43
  35. 45Publication of penalties
  36. 46Prison offences
  37. 47Punishment of such prison offences
  38. 48Limitation to Award of punishment under Section 47
  39. 49Punishments to be in accordance with foregoing sections
  40. 50Entries in punishment book
  41. 51Procedure on committal of heinous offence
  42. 52Offences by prison subordinates
  43. 53Procedure for conducting enquiries for the award of punishment
  44. 54Punishment for not fulfilling conditions subject to which remission, etc was given
  45. 55Liability to provide safe custody and security of prisoners
  46. 56Prisoner exempted from imposition of handcuffs and fetters
  47. 57Redressal of grievances of prisoners
  48. 58Prohibition of strikes etc.
  49. 59Extramural custody, control and employment of prisoners
  50. 60Review of cases of criminal prisoners
  51. 61Use of Minimum force
  52. 63Rehabilitation of prisoners
  53. 64Persons of unsound mind
  54. 65Protective custody
  55. 66Accounts and audit
  56. 67Training of prison officials
  57. 68Delegation of Powers
  58. 69Exercise of powers of Superintendent and Medical Officer
  59. 71Powers of Government to make rules
  60. 72Exhibition of copies of Rules

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