India, April 23 -- New Delhi

The Delhi High Court on Wednesday took suo motu cognisance of the establishment, functioning, and expansion of Open Correctional Institutions (OCIs or open jails) and asked the Delhi government to constitute a monitoring committee to manage them.

OCIs or open prisons are a reform-focused model of incarceration that differs markedly from conventional prisons. They operate with minimal physical security-without high walls, barbed wire, or intensive guarding-and house inmates on the basis of good conduct, who are expected to adhere to a system of self-discipline.

In its order, the top court further directed every state and Union territory to constitute a monitoring committee for OCI management. This committee ...