Model Jail, Chandigarh
Prisons in India
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Model Jail is a prison located in the Union Territory of Chandigarh. It is a Central Jail established in 1972.[1] In July 2024, the jail authorities have set up 32 virtual court (VC) studios. These VCs would facilitate the remand, trial, and other legal proceedings of undertrial prisoners as required under Section 530 of the Bharatiya Nagarik Suraksha Sanhita.[2]
History
The Burail Jail was established as a sub jail in 1972 and was upgraded as a District Jain in 1975. It attained the status of a Model Jail, which is equivalent to a Central Jail in 1990. In 2022, it celebrated its golden jubilee. At least two of its inmates, went on to become governors.[3]
In February 2025, the jail authorities extended STD facilities in the barracks for enabling access to the inmates to talk to their family members and relatives. In January 2023, the prison started a Millets Mithai counter at the jail's shopping outlet Nav Srijan in Sector 22, Chandigarh.[4]
In August 2022, as part of Azadi Ka Amrit Mahotsav, the District Legal Services Authority of Chandigarh released 151 prisoners from the Model Jail, Burail.[5]
In December 2020, an inmate of the jail was awarded Tinka Tinka Award for making the highest number of masks during the COVID19 pandemic.[6]
In September 2022, Institute of Correctional Administration, Sector 26, Chandigarh organised an awareness workshop on Sexual Harassment (POSH) in the Model Jail.[7]
New initiatives
The Model Jail has taken up a new initiative during its golden jubilee to educate illiterate prisoners by the literate prisoners with a goal to make the Model Jail Chandigarh the Most Literate Jail in the country. The other literate prisoners can continue their studies through distance education from institutions like IGNOU Study Center. Adult education programme for aged prisoners was also started.[8]