JAIL MAIL- LEGAL SERVICES DAY- LOOKING BACK AT AN EVENTFUL YEAR 2018
9th November 2018 marks the 24th Legal Services Day. As is customary, we bring to you updates on the latest developments in legal aid in India. In the past year, NALSA has introduced a slew of changes in the administration of legal aid which we believe can go a long way in not only improving access but also quality of legal aid services in the country.
Ten things about Legal Aid
“Access to justice is the most basic human right” and there must be emphasis upon the need for competent legal aid lawyers providing effective legal representation. There are 1,401 jails in India and each jail should have a legal aid clinic. CHRI received information through RTIs on existence and functioning of jail legal aid clinics (JLACs) from 659 jails.
JAIL MAIL: SAFEGUARDING RIGHTS OF THE ARRESTED
October 2nd is a day about respecting the rule of law and the fundamentals of a democratic and just society, just as Mahatma Gandhi and Lal Bahadur Shastri had envisioned. To further the need to protect and safeguard the rights of accused persons, CHRI puts forth two publications.
HOPE BEHIND BARS? STATUS REPORT ON LEGAL AID FOR PERSONS IN CUSTODY
This National Legal Aid Report has been prepared based on responses received from Right to Information Applications from 24 states and 5 union territories. The report is divided into two volumes.
Recommendations on Legal Aid at Police Station
Prompt access to legal advice and assistance is the key to guaranteeing a fair trial and the rule of law.2 The first few hours of contact with the criminal justice system are among the most crucial for those arrested and/or detained. In this context, discussions around possible models of legal aid at police station are of prime importance.
Legal Aid at Police Stations
The early phase of the criminal justice process is the most crucial period for those arrested or detained for an offence. Presence of a lawyer at this phase is important to safeguard the rights accorded to them.
Consultation on Model SOP on Repatriation of Indian Nationals from Foreign Prisons
July 20, 2018 New Delhi, India A one-day Consultation was held by the Commonwealth Human Rights Initiative (CHRI) to seek the feedback from Central and state agencies on the contours of a Draft Model Standard Operating Procedures (SOP) prepared for the effective implementation of the Repatriation of Prisoners Act, 2003.
JAIL MAIL: NELSON MANDELA DAY
On Nelson Mandela Day, CHRI through this Jail Mail intends to raise awareness around issues relating to minimum standards which must be adhered to when incarcerating prisoners.
Report on Panel Discussion on ‘Reducing Pre-Trial Detention in the Commonwealth’
The Commonwealth Human Rights Initiative (CHRI) releases its report on ‘Reducing Use of Pre-Trial Detention in the Commonwealth’, an outcome of a panel discussion on why and how, and with what effect, countries in the Commonwealth have undertaken reforms to reduce prison populations and improve prison systems.
Bringing Them Home, Repatriation of Indian Nationals from Foreign Prisons, A Barrier Analysis
This report has been prepared by the Commonwealth Human Rights Initiative in 2017, under its Prison Reforms Programme. Hundreds of thousands of Indian nationals are known to travel abroad irregularly every year and many thousands more by due process.