Legal Awareness Programs Conducted Across 59 Jails In Bihar To Educate Prisoners On Their Rights

The Bihar Human Rights Commission (BHRC), in collaboration with the Bihar State Legal Services Authority (BSLSA), organized a comprehensive legal awareness program titled 'Sabhi Ke Liye Swantantra, Samaanta aur Nyay' (Independence, Equality, and Justice for All) across all 59 jails in Bihar to commemorate Human Rights Day 2024.

This legal awareness program was aimed at raising awareness about the legal rights of prisoners.

The program was conducted after obtaining necessary approvals from the Chief Justice K. Vinod Chandran, Patna High Court–cum-Patron in Chief of BSLSA, the Chief Justice of Patna High Court, Mr. Justice Ashutosh Kumar, JAD-1, Patna High Court–cum-Executive Chairman of BSLSA, and Justice A.M. Badar (Retd.), Chairman of BHRC.

To provide prisoners with practical knowledge of their legal rights, BHRC and BSLSA jointly developed a concise booklet. This booklet includes fundamental legal information as well as references to the latest Supreme Court judgments, serving as a comprehensive guide for prisoners.

The BHRC in order to ensure the simultaneous organization of the legal awareness program, issued directives to all Jails in Bihar. The program was conducted across all prisons, including District, Central and Sub-Jails at the same time.

To facilitate the dissemination of legal knowledge, BSLSA coordinated with District Legal Services Authorities (DLSA) and Sub-Divisional Legal Services Committees (SDLSC) to assign panel advocates and para-legal volunteers to participate in the event. These legal experts delivered presentations on the rights of prisoners as enshrined in various legal provisions. The initiative also received logistical and administrative support from the Home Department, Government of Bihar, and the respective District Administrations.

Justice A.M. Badar (Retd.), Chairman of BHRC, monitored the arrangements, while ensuring a successful execution of the program in all the prisons.