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Report of the Amicus Curiae

21. Mr. Anish Dewan, the learned Amicus Curiae, submitted a report addressing the question of whether the absence of a permanent residential address in Delhi disqualifies a convict from seeking Parole or Furlough under the Delhi Prison Rules, or any other law. He submits that the relief of Parole and Furlough is governed by the Delhi Prison Rules, which do not specifically mandate that a convict must have a permanent address in Delhi to be eligible for such relief.

28. Rules 1197 to 1202 of the Delhi Prison Rules itself provide guidance as to what objectives the grant of parole and furlough aims to achieve. These Rules read as under:

"Rule 1197: Parole and Furlough to inmates are progressive measures of correctional services. The release of prisoner on parole not only saves him from the evils of incarceration but also enables him to maintain social relations with his family and community. It also helps him to maintain and develop a sense of self-confidence. Continued contacts with family and the community sustain in him a hope for life. The release of prisoner on furlough motivates him to maintain good conduct and remain disciplined in the prison.
Rule 1198: Parole means temporary release of a prisoner for short period so that he may maintain social relations with his family and the community in order to fulfill his familial and social obligations and responsibilities. It is an opportunity for a prisoner to maintain regular contact with outside world so that he may keep himself updated with the latest developments in the society. It is however clarified that the period spent by a prisoner outside the prison while on parole in no way is a concession so far as his sentence is concern. The prisoner has to spend extra time in prison for the period spent by him outside the Jail on parole.

29. The above Rules emphasize that Parole and Furlough serve as progressive correctional measures, which are aimed at rehabilitation of the convict-prisoners. They allow prisoners to maintain familial and social ties, and help in fostering a sense of self-confidence and hope. These measures also help prisoners stay updated with societal developments, promote psychological and physiological well-being, and mitigate the negative effects of incarceration. They incentivize good behavior and discipline within the prison system.