The Meghalaya Prisons and Correctional Services Act, 2026 (Act No. 6 of 2026)
meghalaya · 2026
The scanned source for this Act is imperfect — headings or section boundaries may be off. Verify against the official source.
- S. 1Short title, extent and commencement - (1) This Act may be called the Meghalaya Prisons and Correctional Services Act,
- S. 2Section 2 defines key terms used in the Meghalaya Prisons and Correctional Services Act, 2026.
- S. 3Section 3 outlines the functions of prisons and correctional institutions, including custody, safety, rehabilitation, and discipline.
- S. 4Section mandates the government to establish and maintain prisons and correctional institutions for prisoner accommodation.
- S. 5Section 5 outlines standards for prison architecture, security, segregation, and facilities for different prisoner categories.
- S. 6Section 6 establishes various categories of prisons and correctional institutions, including separate wards for high-risk prisoners.
- S. 7Section 7 allows the government to establish temporary prisons when overcrowding or emergencies necessitate.
- S. 8Section establishes a Directorate of Prisons and Correctional Services to oversee prison policies and operations.
- S. 9Section 9 appoints the Head of Prisons and Correctional Services and outlines their powers and duties.
- S. 10Section 10 appoints officers to assist the Directorate and designates an officer-in-charge for prison management.
- S. 11Section 11 outlines the qualifications, recruitment, training, and benefits for prison officers and staff in Meghalaya.
- S. 12Section 12 outlines the duties and responsibilities of the prison officer-in-charge, including managing prison operations and ensuring proper custody and discipline.
- S. 13Medical Officer- There shall be a medical officer for every prison
- S. 14Section 14 mandates that all prison officers and staff perform their duties according to assigned functions and responsibilities as outlined in the rules.
- S. 15Section 15 allows other designated officers to perform duties of the absent officer-in-charge or medical officer.
- S. 16Section 16 prohibits prison officers and staff from engaging in business with prisoners or holding interests in prison contracts.
- S. 17Section 17 establishes a staff welfare wing to support prison officers and staff.
- S. 18Section 18 mandates the use of technology for prison management, inmate safety, and prohibiting unauthorized cell phone use.
- S. 19Section 19 outlines the procedures for admitting prisoners into a prison under the Meghalaya Prisons and Correctional Services Act, 2026.
- S. 20Section 20 allows the transfer of prisoners between states with mutual consent and trial court approval for under-trials.
- S. 21Section 21 mandates searching and examination of prisoners on admission, exit, and re-entry, with specific health and identification checks.
- S. 22Search of Prisoners- Any prisoner shall be liable to be searched at any time for detection of any prohibited article, e
- S. 23Section 23 mandates that prisoners' valuable personal items not ordered otherwise by court must be held by the prison officer-in-charge.
- S. 24Section 24 details procedures for reporting and forwarding information on foreign prisoners to relevant Indian authorities.
- S. 25Section 25 establishes a committee for prisoner classification and security assessment, including specified prison and other officers.
- S. 26Section 26 classifies prisoners based on various factors and segregates them into different categories and sub-categories for safe custody.
- S. 27Section 27 mandates the Directorate and Police to protect society from high-risk prisoners by classifying and segregating them, denying them parole or leave.
- S. 28Section 28 outlines special security measures for monitoring inmates, intelligence gathering, contraband detection, and staff rotation to prevent crime.
- S. 29Section 29 allows prison leave for prisoners who agree to wear electronic tracking devices, with violations resulting in leave cancellation and future disqualification.
- S. 30Section 30 mandates the establishment of separate facilities for women prisoners to ensure their safety and gender-specific needs.
- S. 31Section 31 mandates medical care and special diet for pregnant female prisoners upon detection.
- S. 32Section 32 allows women prisoners to keep their children in prison until age six and provides healthcare and facilities for them.
- S. 33Section mandates prompt investigation of sexual harassment complaints against female prisoners.
- S. 34Section 34 provides for separate facilities, healthcare, and correctional programs for transgender prisoners.
- S. 35Section 35 mandates prison officers to ensure prisoner safety and security through various measures and authorizes prison heads to transfer prisoners.
- S. 36Section 36 allows prisoners to communicate with visitors and legal counsel under supervision, with visitor verification.
- S. 37Section 37 mandates searches of visitors, prison staff, and prescribes refusal consequences and special provisions for certain groups.
- S. 38Section 38 grants the officer-in-charge authority to maintain prison discipline and mandates prisoners to obey prison officers and rules.
- S. 39Section 39 lists various acts by prisoners considered prison offences under the Meghalaya Prisons and Correctional Services Act, 2026.
- S. 40Section 40 outlines punishments for prison offences, including warnings, facility stoppages, remission forfeiture, visit bans, and confinement.
- S. 41Section 41 prohibits prison inmates from possessing or using mobile phones and other contraband, with penalties for violations including imprisonment and fines.
- S. 42Section 42 allows the officer-in-charge to refer repeat prison offenders to a Magistrate for trial and potential imprisonment up to three years.
- S. 43Section 43 mandates the display of prohibited actions and penalties in prisons for prisoner and staff information.
- S. 44Section 44 ensures prisoners receive adequate, gender-responsive health care facilities as prescribed.
- S. 45Section 45 allows the transfer of mentally ill prisoners to mental health facilities for assessment and treatment.
- S. 46Section 46 provides for educational, vocational training, skill development, and recreational programs for prisoners in Meghalaya.
- S. 47Section 47 allows for canteens and sales outlets in prisons to sell products to prisoners, staff, and the public.
- S. 48Section 48 mandates preparation and periodic updates of individual rehabilitation plans for prisoners.
- S. 49Section 49 allows prisoners to work and be paid wages, with records maintained by the officer-in-charge.
- S. 50Section 50 allows the government to establish open and semi-open correctional institutions for prisoner rehabilitation.
- S. 51Section 51 outlines the types and conditions for granting prison leave, parole, and furlough to eligible convicted prisoners for rehabilitation.
- S. 52Section 52 allows for potential sentence reduction for prisoners based on good behavior, with specific terms set by rules.
- S. 53Section 53 allows pre-mature release for prisoner rehabilitation and may establish a committee for review.
- S. 54Section 54 establishes a two-tier system for prison inspections, involving senior officers and visitor boards, with reports to prison and directorate officials.
- S. 55Section 55 mandates the government to provide after-care services for released prisoners to aid their rehabilitation and societal reintegration.
- S. 56Section 56 prohibits caste-based discrimination and manual scavenging in prisons and correctional institutions.
- S. 57Rights and Facilities for Prisoners with Disabilities- (1) No prisoner shall be discriminated against on grounds of dis
- S. 58Section 58 allows the government to offer free legal aid to prisoners under the Legal Services Authorities Act, 1987.
- S. 59Section 59 establishes an Under-Trial Review Committee in each district to review eligible prisoners' cases and make recommendations.
- S. 60Section 60 mandates the Medical Officer to report prisoner deaths with prescribed details to prison and correctional services authorities.
- S. 61Section 61 establishes a grievance redressal mechanism for prisoners and staff as per prescribed rules.
- S. 62Section 62 allows the officer-in-charge to use prisoners' services for prison administration and management.
- S. 63Section 63 bans strikes and agitations by prisoners, visitors, and prison staff within the prison.
- S. 64Section 64 mandates the officer-in-charge to prepare and respond to emergencies in prisons by procuring equipment and forming contingency plans.
- S. 65Section 65 allows prisoners to be taken outside prison under custody, still subject to prison rules and discipline.
- S. 66Section 66 establishes a Prison Development Board to modernize prison infrastructure and facilities.
- S. 67Section 67 allows the government to delegate any powers granted by the act to designated officers.
- S. 68Section 68 mandates that prison accounts in Meghalaya must be maintained and audited as prescribed by the government.
- S. 69Section 69 protects government actions taken in good faith from legal proceedings.
- S. 70Section 70 allows the Government to create rules consistent with the Act via official Gazette notifications.
- S. 71Section 71 allows the government to issue orders to resolve any difficulties in implementing the Act, but only within two years of its commencement.
- S. 72Section 72 repeals old prison laws in Meghalaya and preserves existing prison-related rules until amended by new regulations.