Section 98 in The West Bengal Correctional Services Act, 1992
98. Prisoners Panchayat.—
(1)There shall be constituted in every correctional home (including an open correctional home) a prisoners’ panchayat with the members from amongst the prisoners, excluding the political prisoners and detenus detained in the correctional home:Provided that no prisoner having previous conviction for any offence under Chapter VII of the Indian Penal Code, (45 of 1860) or any offence involving moral turpitude or illicit manufacturing of, or trade in, any intoxicating substance or adulterated food, drink or medicine, or for any economic offence, shall be included in the Prisoners Panchayat.(2)The Prisoners’ Panchayat shall—(a)foster co-operation of the prisoners with the administrative authority of the correctional home and a spirit of friendliness amongst the prisoners of different correctional homes as well as a disciplined life amongst the prisoners;(b)look after the cooking of prisoners’ food, suggest menu for the break-fast, and mid-day meal, consistent with the prescribed diet tables and price ceiling;(c)look after, and render aid in, the various sorts of cultural and recreational activities;(d)look after the sanitary and hygienic condition inside the correctional home as well as the privileges and amenities admissible to the prisoners under this Act or the rules made thereunder;(e)perform such other functions as may be prescribed.(3)The Superintendent may, if the political prisoners or detenus detained in the correctional home so desire, recognise not less than three and not more than four of their representatives for the purpose of maintaining regular contact with him in relation to their grievances, if any.(4)The female prisoners shall have a separate Panchayat, if the number of such prisoners is ten or more. Where the number of female prisoners in a correctional home is less than ten, the Superintendent shall nominate not more than two female prisoners as their representatives who shall discharge the functions of the Prisoners’ Panchayat under sub-section (2).(5)The Superintendent shall nominate one member of the Prisoners’ Panchayat as the Pratinidhi and another member thereof as Upa-Pratinidhi for the purpose of maintaining regular contact with him in relation to the grievances of the prisoners, if any.(6)The manner of constitution of a Prisoners’ Panchayat, the duties and functions of the Panchayat, the duration of the Panchayat, and the duties and functions of the officers of the correctional home in relation to the Panchayat shall be such as may be prescribed.
