• Dr. Alok Kumar Meena

The history of prisons is not of recent origin but it is very old and oldest penal institutions were called the ‘Jail’ or ‘Prison’. Prisons constitute the largest area of social defence by shielding and cutting prisoners completely from the outer world.The purpose of imprisonment was to protect the society against crime. Prison system in India, has a long history which can be traced in Rig-Veda, Ramayana, Mahabharata and ManavDharamshastra. In ancient India prison were constructed for the custody of war prisoners and enemies of the king.The prison system in medieval India resembled that of ancient India.During Mughal and Maratha period the prison houses were made for barbaric torture and vindictive agony.In the beginning the British ruler inherited and practiced the cruel and primitive methods of medieval period but later on due to effort of Lord Macaulay prison reforms begin. With the awareness in the society and changing perception towards prisoners, prisons in India are no longer regarded as a place for punishment. Prisons are now being considered as reformatories and greater attention is being given to ameliorate the conditions in jails.

Penal institutions, imprisonment, barbaric torture, vindictive agony, reformatories

"History of Indian Prison System: An overview", International Journal of Emerging Technologies and Innovative Research (www.jetir.org), ISSN:2349-5162, Vol.8, Issue 9, page no.e298-e304, September 2021, Available :http://www.jetir.org/papers/JETIR2109545.pdf

"History of Indian Prison System: An overview", International Journal of Emerging Technologies and Innovative Research (www.jetir.org | UGC and issn Approved), ISSN:2349-5162, Vol.8, Issue 9, page no. ppe298-e304, September 2021, Available at : http://www.jetir.org/papers/JETIR2109545.pdf