The Union Home Ministry has reported significant progress in its initiative to assist financially disadvantaged inmates across the country. According to official data presented in the Lok Sabha, a total of 273 prisoners have benefited from the ministry's 'Support to Poor Prisoners' scheme, which aims to provide crucial financial assistance to those unable to secure bail or pay court-imposed fines.
Financial Assistance Distribution Across States
Junior Home Minister Bandi Sanjay Kumar shared comprehensive details about the scheme's implementation, revealing that over ₹71 lakh in central funds have been utilized across 16 states and Union territories. This financial support has enabled eligible jail inmates to overcome economic barriers that were keeping them incarcerated despite being eligible for release.
State-Wise Breakdown of Beneficiaries
The distribution of funds and beneficiaries reveals interesting patterns across different regions:
- Maharashtra emerged as the state with maximum utilization, spending ₹18.7 lakh to benefit 107 prisoners, representing the highest number of beneficiaries in any single state.
- Madhya Pradesh utilized ₹9.9 lakh to provide relief to 38 prisoners, demonstrating substantial implementation in central India.
- Tripura allocated over ₹9 lakh for seven eligible prisoners, indicating significant per-prisoner assistance in the northeastern region.
- Uttarakhand used ₹7.7 lakh to aid 37 jail inmates, showing effective implementation in the northern state.
- Assam ensured the release of 28 prisoners with assistance worth ₹6.8 lakh under the scheme, contributing to prison decongestion efforts.
Scheme Background and Implementation Framework
The 'Support to Poor Prisoners' scheme represents a significant step toward addressing systemic inequalities in the justice system. Launched by the Ministry of Home Affairs in 2023, this initiative specifically targets undertrial prisoners who cannot secure bail due to financial constraints and convicts who remain incarcerated solely because of their inability to pay court-imposed fines.
The ministry has taken proactive measures to ensure effective implementation across all states and Union territories. On December 2, 2025, the guidelines and standard operating procedure (SOP) for the scheme were revised and shared with all relevant authorities, creating a standardized framework for identifying eligible beneficiaries and disbursing financial assistance.
Addressing Systemic Inequalities
This scheme represents a crucial intervention in the criminal justice system, where financial status should not determine freedom. By providing targeted financial assistance, the government aims to ensure that poverty does not become a barrier to justice or an extended sentence for those who have already served their time but cannot afford monetary penalties.
The data presented to Parliament highlights how this initiative is making tangible differences in prisoners' lives across multiple states, with Maharashtra leading both in terms of funds utilized and number of beneficiaries. The scheme's implementation across diverse geographical regions demonstrates its nationwide relevance and the widespread need for such financial interventions in the justice system.
