The Prisons Act, 1894

The Prisons Act, 1894 is an Act of the Parliament of British India that aimed to amend the law relating to prisons in India. The Act came into force on July 1, 1894.

Key provisions of the Act include:

• Definitions: The Act defines various terms such as "prison", "criminal prisoner", "convicted criminal prisoner", and others.


• Maintenance and officers of prisons: The Act provides for the maintenance and management of prisons, including the appointment of Superintendents, Medical Officers, and Jailers.


• Admission, removal, and discharge of prisoners: The Act outlines the procedures for admitting, removing, and discharging prisoners from prison.


• Discipline of prisoners: The Act deals with the separation of prisoners, association and segregation of prisoners, solitary confinement, and other disciplinary measures.


• Employment of prisoners: The Act provides for the employment of civil and criminal prisoners in prison workshops and other facilities.


• Health of prisoners: The Act deals with the health and well-being of prisoners, including medical care and sanitation.

The Act also contains provisions related to the removal of prohibited articles from prisons, visits to prisoners, and the punishment of prison officers who engage in business dealings with prisoners or are interested in prison contracts.