Haryana’s bold step on restorative reform in jails
HARYANA’s notification of the Community Service Guidelines, 2025 marks a decisive turn in the criminal justice landscape — a shift from retribution to restoration. At a time when prisons operate at 131 per cent occupancy, with undertrials making up nearly 76 per cent of the inmates (2022 data), the state’s initiative provides a much-needed alternative to incarceration for first-time, low-risk offenders. Rooted in the Bharatiya Nyaya Sanhita, 2023, the framework empowers judges to assign structured service instead of jail time. The scope is wide yet purposeful: maintaining parks, assisting in hospitals, supporting anganwadis, conserving heritage sites or contributing to national missions such as Swachh Bharat and Beti Bachao, Beti Padhao. The guidelines even tailor roles for juveniles — such as NCC training or environmental projects — and for women, who may serve in “safe spaces”, like maternity wards or childcare centres.