Beyond the Bars: Critical Perspectives on Caste and Gender in Prison Reforms
The Legal Aid Cell of the School of Law, NMIMS Chandigarh hosted a Legal Awareness Seminar “Beyond the Bars: Critical Perspectives on Caste and Gender in Prison Reforms” on 15th October 2024 at its auditorium. The institution was honored to have Dr. Upneet Lalli, Deputy Director of the Institute of Correctional Administration and a renowned global ambassador for restorative justice, as the keynote speaker.
With a career dedicated to enhancing custodial justice, Dr. Lalli emphasized the importance of humane treatment for inmates, mental health support, and the critical role of prison staff in driving reform.
Discussions covered a broad spectrum of topics, including the challenges of overcrowding in Indian prisons, the outdated Prison Act of 1894, and disparities in prison facilities that favor VIP prisoners over ordinary inmates. Legal frameworks such as the Mandela Rules and landmark cases like Sunil Batra (1978) were examined to advocate for modernizing prison systems. The seminar also addressed mental health, hygiene, and the importance of non-judgmental attitudes towards inmates.
Dr. Lalli called for a holistic approach, encouraging staff training and reforms aligned with international standards to nurture a more equitable and just system. She thanked and appreciated the efforts of the Faculty Mentors of the Legal Aid Clinic, Mr. Gantav Gupta and Mr. Tina Benny, Assistant Professors of Law for organizing such an innovative and thoughtful discourse in the light of the recent judgment of Sukanya Shanta v. Union of India (2024).
The Legal Aid Cell of NMIMS Chandigarh regularly conducts such seminars to prepare its students for real-world challenges, equipping them with the knowledge to vocalize meaningful changes when they have the power to influence policy.
