Devanjana Mukherjee, Khabri Media
It is crucial that the government addresses concerns related to data security, privacy, and potential technological challenges to ensure the successful implementation of this initiative.
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In an era where digital technologies are increasingly shaping the way we conduct transactions, verify identities, and ensure security, the Government of India is taking a significant step forward by implementing Aadhaar authentication for prisoners and their visitors.
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All prison inmates and their visitors will now have to undergo Aadhaar authentication following the central government’s fresh initiative to strengthen the safe and secure custody of inmates besides ensuring them delivery of entitled benefits.
In a communication to all state governments and union territory administrations, the Union Home Ministry has conveyed that the National Informatics Centre (NIC) and ePrisons team have prepared a Standard Operating Procedure (SOP) document for Aadhaar linking or Aadhaar authentication of prison inmates and their visitors with ePrisons platform for the convenience of all prison authorities.
According to official report, the Prison Departments of the States/UTs shall adhere to the provisions of section 3A and 8 of the Aadhaar Act with respect to the authentication of persons being children i.e., below 18 years of age. It is further advised that all relevant provisions of the Act, the rules and regulations made thereunder, and directions issued by the Unique Identification Authority of India (“Authority”) shall be complied with.
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Prison security is one of the critical issues for the state in order to maintain law and order. With the growing prison inmate population in the country, the prison authorities are under pressure to manage them and identify their records. The identification of inmates and other stakeholders of prisons is the requirement of the day which can be achieved via unique identification process.
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This ePrisons integrated Aadhaar Services can be used for accurately verifying prison inmates, their visitors, reducing identity fraud within the prison system, and streamlining administrative processes related to the management of prisoners.
ePrisons platform offers various services including a comprehensive MIS for the Prisoner management, Visitor management, Gate management, Conviction management, alerts, reports, KIOSK, along with services to external agencies like National prisons portal, eMulakat, eParole, eCustody, NALSA, Bail order delivery system, etc.
In pursuance of these obligations, the Ministry of Home Affairs continuously monitors the internal security situation, issues appropriate advisories, shares intelligence inputs, extends manpower and financial support, guidance and expertise to the State Governments for maintenance of security, peace and harmony without encroaching upon the constitutional rights of the States.
If Aadhaar is not available with the prisoner, then Aadhaar enrollment for prisoners inside a jail will be done through the camps organized by the UIDAI on weekly basis. These include steps like coordination with UIDAI, Enrollment (submission of biometric and demographic information), Data Submission, Unique No. generation, Aadhar (hard copy) sent to inmates, and Distribution.
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Visitors of the inmates need to register themselves with eMulakat by submitting their Aadhar details to schedule visits or booking a Video call with the registered prisoners. Visitors Verification will be processed at the time of Visits before meeting with prisoner. Fingerprint match will allow to visit, and it is real time check with the Adhaar.
The implementation of Aadhaar authentication for prisoners and their visitors is a significant step toward enhancing the security and efficiency of correctional facilities in India. This move leverages the power of digital identity verification to streamline inmate management and visitor access while offering the potential for inmates to benefit from government services.
