Chief Justice of India (CJI) Surya Kant has made a significant call for a change in terminology and perspective towards incarceration in India. He stated that jail complexes should be referred to as 'sudhar grih' or correctional homes, emphasizing their role in reform rather than mere punishment.
A New Vision for Prisons
The CJI made these remarks on Saturday, December 7, 2025, during the inauguration ceremony of an Industrial Training Institute (ITI) at the Bhondsi jail complex in Gurgaon. Addressing an audience that included inmates, judges, and officials, Justice Kant outlined a transformative vision for the penal system.
He argued that prisons are not institutions for society to endlessly remind individuals of their past mistakes. Instead, they should be places that encourage inmates to look toward the future. "It is not punishment but an opportunity," he said, highlighting that the families of convicts already suffer immense financial and mental hardship through no fault of their own.
Focus on Rehabilitation and Societal Reintegration
CJI Surya Kant stressed the moral responsibility of inmates to use their time for self-improvement. The ultimate goal, he explained, is for a person to leave the jail's walls and proudly contribute to society as a valuable asset, thereby earning acceptance back into the community.
"The punishment is already there for your kin... So, it is your moral responsibility on leaving the four walls of the jail, so you can tell proudly that you have become something for the society, which will accept you again," the Chief Justice told the gathering.
Dignitaries Present and Broader Judicial Insights
The event was attended by several eminent personalities from the judiciary and administration. Alongside CJI Kant were Supreme Court Justices Rajesh Bindal and Ahsanuddin Amanullah, as well as Attorney General R. Venkataramani (referred to as AG Masih in some reports). A host of judges and bureaucrats from the states of Punjab and Haryana were also present.
In a subsequent seminar following the inauguration, CJI Kant shared insights from his years on the bench. He expressed a firm belief that "people are not born malicious but circumstances shape human conduct long before they enter a courtroom." This perspective underpins the need for a more humane justice system focused on addressing root causes.
He also took the opportunity to highlight the need for legal aid for vulnerable groups, specifically mentioning that migrant workers should be assisted legally in cases involving documentation issues.
Implications for Prison Reform in India
The CJI's advocacy for the term 'correctional home' is not merely semantic. It represents a fundamental shift in philosophy—from retributive justice to restorative and rehabilitative justice. The inauguration of the ITI at Bhondsi jail itself is a practical step in this direction, aiming to equip inmates with vocational skills for a better future post-release.
This call to action from the highest judicial authority in the country is likely to spark further discussions on prison reforms, policy changes, and societal attitudes towards individuals who have served their sentences. The focus is now squarely on transformation and creating future assets for the nation.
