Human Rights and Criminal Justice: A Study of Female Prisoners in Manipur

Yumkham Sarojbala; Somiyo Horam

doi:10.36948/ijfmr.2026.v08i05.88730

Human Rights and Criminal Justice: A Study of Female Prisoners in Manipur

Author(s)	Dr. Yumkham Sarojbala, Mr. Somiyo Horam
Country	India
Abstract	Within the complex framework of India’s criminal justice system, the recognition and protection of the rights of female prisoners represent an important measure of the nation’s commitment to justice, equality, human dignity and the rule of law. The administration of criminal justice encompasses a wide range of processes, including investigation, prosecution, adjudication and execution of sentences. In this broader framework, examining the rights and living conditions of women prisoners provides an important means of assessing the effectiveness of the criminal justice system and the extent to which individual freedoms and human dignity are protected. The Constitution of India provides several safeguards for the protection of fundamental and human rights, while the Supreme Court of India, through various landmark judgments, has repeatedly emphasized that prisoners do not lose their fundamental rights merely because they have been incarcerated. Nevertheless, reports, empirical studies, scholarly literature and findings of human rights organizations have consistently highlighted instances of ill-treatment, inadequate prison conditions and violations of prisoners’ fundamental rights. These concerns assume particular significance in the case of women prisoners, who often face vulnerabilities arising from their social, psychological, physical and economic circumstances. Manipur, a state situated in the north-eastern region of India, occupies a distinctive position within the country because of its rich cultural heritage, historical development and complex socio-political environment. Its transition from an independent kingdom to a constituent state of the Indian Union has influenced the evolution of its administrative, legal and institutional structures, including its criminal justice and correctional systems. Understanding the condition of women prisoners in Manipur therefore requires consideration not only of the formal legal framework but also of the social and institutional circumstances within which the prison system operates. Women have historically constituted one of the most vulnerable and marginalized sections of society, and imprisonment can intensify these vulnerabilities. According to recent prison statistics reported by the National Crime Records Bureau (NCRB), India’s prison population exceeds the sanctioned capacity of its correctional institutions, with women accounting for only a small proportion of the total prison population. Despite their relatively smaller numbers, female prisoners often experience imprisonment in distinct and, in many respects, more challenging ways than their male counterparts. In Manipur, available official data similarly indicate that women constitute a small proportion of the prison population, with a substantial majority reportedly being undertrial prisoners. The difficulties encountered by women in prison extend beyond the deprivation of physical liberty. They may include inadequate access to healthcare, sanitation, nutrition, legal assistance, psychological support, education, rehabilitation and contact with family members. These challenges can be particularly severe for women who are pregnant, mothers of young children, elderly, economically disadvantaged or otherwise socially vulnerable. The presence of children accompanying incarcerated mothers further creates complex concerns relating to childcare, nutrition, education and the overall development and well-being of the child. Human rights are universal and inherent to all individuals, irrespective of their nationality, place of residence, gender, religion, language, social status or other circumstances. Imprisonment restricts an individual’s liberty as a consequence of the criminal justice process, but it does not extinguish the person’s humanity or eliminate the basic rights associated with human dignity. A person accused or convicted of an offence does not, merely by entering prison, cease to be a human being. Consequently, deprivation of liberty must not be accompanied by unnecessary, arbitrary or degrading restrictions on those rights that continue to be available to prisoners under law. Against this background, the present study seeks to examine the relationship between the criminal justice system and the rights of female prisoners in the state of Manipur. It focuses on the functioning of the prison system, the level of awareness among women prisoners regarding their legal and human rights, and the nature and extent of perceived or reported violations of those rights. The study also seeks to identify gaps between the rights guaranteed under constitutional, statutory and judicial frameworks and their actual implementation within the prison system. The issue of human rights violations involving women prisoners requires sustained attention because the deprivation of liberty should never result in the deprivation of human dignity. Examining the conditions experienced by female prisoners in Manipur can therefore contribute to a better understanding of the challenges confronting the prison administration and may help identify measures for improving the protection of prisoners’ rights. Such an examination is particularly relevant in the context of a correctional system that is expected to uphold justice while simultaneously promoting rehabilitation, dignity and social reintegration.
Keywords	Women Prisoners Manipur, Human Rights, Criminal Justice System, Jail Inmates, Human Dignity.
Field	Sociology > Administration / Law / Management
Published In	Volume 8, Issue 5, September-October 2026
Published On	2026-10-01
DOI	https://doi.org/10.36948/ijfmr.2026.v08i05.88730

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Human Rights and Criminal Justice: A Study of Female Prisoners in Manipur

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