Vidhi Codex

Bare Act

The Punjab Prisons and Correctional Services Act, 2026

Criminal202689 sections

This Act governs the detention of prisoners in Punjab and focuses on their reformation and rehabilitation. It applies to the entire state and establishes the Department of Prisons and Correctional Services. The law aims to ensure safe custody while maintaining minimum standards of treatment that respect individual dignity. By regulating how prisoners are held and treated, it seeks to balance public safety with the humane management of those in custody, ultimately helping released individuals reintegrate into society through after-care services.

Start reading →Read full ActSections
  1. 0. Preamble
  2. 2. Definitions
  3. 3. Functions of prisons and correctional institutions
  4. 4. Accommodation for prisoners.
  5. 5. Categories of prisons and correctional institutions.
  6. 6. Prison architecture and institutional pattern.
  7. 7. Temporary accommodation for prisoners.
  8. 8. Directorate of Prisons and Correctional Services.
  9. 9. Head of Prisons and Correctional Services.
  10. 10. Other officers of prisons.
  11. 11. Recruitment and training.
  12. 12. Functions and duties of officer-in-charge.
  13. 13. Prison hospital and medical officer and staff.
  14. 14. Duties of prison officers and staff.
  15. 15. Essential services.
  16. 16. Exercise of powers of officer-in-charge in his absence.
  17. 17. Prison officers and staff not to have business dealings with prisoners and interest in prison contracts.
  18. 18. Staff Welfare
  19. 19. Use of technology in prison administration
  20. 20. Admission of prisoners
  21. 21. Transfer of a prisoner to another State or Union Territory
  22. 22. Prisoners to be searched and examined on admission, exit and re-entry
  23. 23. Search of prisoners
  24. 24. Taking measurements of prisoners for the purpose of identification
  25. 25. Use of Aadhaar
  26. 26. Prisoner to be medically examined
  27. 27. Articles of prisoners
  28. 28. Admission, transfer and repatriation of foreign prisoners including internees
  29. 29. Composition of Classification and security Assessment Committee
  30. 30. Grounds of classification and categories
  31. 31. Taking appropriate measures against criminal activities of prisoners
  32. 32. Special provisions for security, intelligence gathering, surveillance and rotation of prison staff on duty
  33. 33. Separate accommodation for women prisoners
  34. 34. Pregnant women prisoners
  35. 35. Women prisoners with children
  36. 36. Safe custody and security of prisoners
  37. 37. Search of visitors, prison officers and staff
  38. 38. Discipline in prisons
  39. 39. Prison offences
  40. 40. Punishment for prison offences.
  41. 41. Procedure for award of punishment.
  42. 42. Punishment for possessing or using wired or wireless communication device or its components
  43. 43. Punishment for rioting.
  44. 44. Punishment for assault or criminal force.
  45. 45. Punishment for escaping from a prison.
  46. 46. Punishment for mischief causing damage to prison property.
  47. 47. Punishment for criminal intimidation of a prison officer or staff etc.
  48. 48. Punishment for introducing, removing of spirituous liquor, tobacco or any other intoxicant or poisonous substance.
  49. 49. Offences to be cognizable and non-bailable.
  50. 50. Procedure on repeated committal of a prison offence.
  51. 51. Display of prison offences and penalties.
  52. 52. Prisoners health care.
  53. 53. Mental health.
  54. 54. Report on the death of a prisoner.
  55. 55. Vocational training, skill development, education and recreation facilities.
  56. 56. Prison factories and employment of prisoners.
  57. 57. Establishment of canteens and sales outlets.
  58. 58. Individual sentence planning.
  59. 59. Work programme and wages.
  60. 60. Open and semi open correctional institutions.
  61. 61. Parole and Furlough.
  62. 62. Remission to prisoners.
  63. 63. Pre-mature release.
  64. 64. Interviews and communications.
  65. 65. Inspection of prisons.
  66. 66. After-care and rehabilitation services.
  67. 67. Special provisions for transgender prisoners.
  68. 68. Execution of sentence.
  69. 69. Appeals, revisions and petitions.
  70. 70. Sanitation and hygiene.
  71. 71. Utilization of prison land.
  72. 72. Prison registers, office procedure and management
  73. 73. Uniform, accoutrements and ordinance supplies
  74. 74. Prisoners condemned to death
  75. 75. Legal aid
  76. 76. Constitution of Under Trial Review Committee for every district
  77. 77. Grievance redressal mechanism
  78. 78. Utilization of services of prisoners
  79. 79. Prohibition of strike and agitation
  80. 80. Emergency
  81. 81. Extramural custody, control and employment of prisoners
  82. 82. Prison Development Board
  83. 83. Delegation of powers
  84. 84. Accounts and audit
  85. 85. Rights and facilities for prisoners with disabilities
  86. 86. Protection of action taken in good faith
  87. 87. Power to make rules
  88. 88. Repeal and saving
  89. 89. Power to remove difficulties

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