Porvorim: The Goa Legislative Assembly on Tuesday passed the Goa Prisons and Correctional Services Bill, 2026, proposing a comprehensive law to replace the existing prison legislation and introducing tougher provisions against contraband, mobile phone use and organised criminal activities from within jails.
Chief Minister Pramod Sawant tabled the Bill during the ongoing monsoon session of the state Legislative Assembly, which was later passed with the voice votes during ongoing monsoon session of the House on Tuesday evening.
The new legislation makes possession or use of mobile phones and other prohibited electronic communication devices inside prisons a cognizable and non-bailable offence, punishable with imprisonment of up to three years and a fine of up to Rs 25,000.
It also proposes a minimum two-year jail term, extendable to three years, for possessing, operating or using electronic or wireless communication devices, their components or accessories inside prison premises.
The provisions would also apply to those who assist, abet or instigate the supply of such devices, as well as persons involved in manipulating, damaging or destroying prison equipment.
The Bill states that no prisoner, visitor or prison official would be permitted to possess or use prohibited communication devices, introduce or remove prohibited articles, supply them to inmates or facilitate unauthorised communication.
Prison officials who knowingly allow such activities would also face punishment, it proposes.
Any sentence imposed on a prisoner under these provisions would run after completion of the sentence already being served.
The proposed law also provides for enhanced intelligence gathering and surveillance of high-risk, hardened and habitual offenders to prevent gang activities, organised crime, witness intimidation and criminal operations from inside prisons.
Prison authorities would gather intelligence, monitor inmates and analyse information in coordination with the State Police Intelligence Wing. High-risk barracks and cells would be subjected to periodic searches for contraband and mobile phones, besides surprise checks and the use of advanced jamming solutions, it proposes.
Staff deployed in sensitive barracks and cells would also be periodically rotated to prevent the development of inmate-staff nexuses and complacency.
The Bill further provides for reporting the release of high-risk, hardened or habitual offenders after completion of their sentences, undertrials released on bail and inmates temporarily released on parole or furlough to the concerned district Superintendent of Police for monitoring.
It also empowers the government to establish open and semi-open correctional institutions aimed at rehabilitating prisoners and facilitating their reintegration into society.
The proposed legislation covers prison management, prisoner discipline and security, contraband control, rehabilitation, skill development, vocational training, human rights and correctional services.
The officer-in-charge of every prison would be responsible for maintaining discipline, while prisoners would be required to obey lawful orders and comply with the provisions of the Act and rules framed under it.
The Bill draws from the Model Prisons and Correctional Services Act, 2023, circulated by the Union Ministry of Home Affairs, and seeks to consolidate prison-related laws while introducing reformatory measures and protecting prisoners’ basic human rights.
