J&K Govt Redefines ‘Habitual Offender’ in Prison Manual

Srinagar: Lieutenant Governor of Jammu and Kashmir, Manoj Sinha, has approved amendments to the J&K Prison Manual, 2022 to strengthen the custodial practices and promote equality among inmates.

As per news agency KNS, the amendment redefines the term habitual offender and introduces a strict prohibition on caste-based discrimination within all prisons and correctional institutions across the Union Territory.

According to the revised definition under Chapter I, a habitual offender is now defined as a person who, within any five-year period, has been convicted and sentenced to imprisonment on more than two separate occasions for different crimes that are not part of the same incident.

However, time spent in jail—either serving a sentence or under detention—will not be counted in this five-year calculation.

Another major addition is Clause 5.64 under Chapter V (Custodial Management), which clearly prohibits any discrimination or segregation of prisoners on the basis of caste.

The order directs prison authorities to ensure equal treatment in all matters, including the assignment of work.

It further mandates strict adherence to the Prohibition of Employment as Manual Scavengers and their Rehabilitation Act, 2013, stating that manual scavenging or hazardous cleaning inside prison premises will not be permitted under any circumstances.