Delhi Prisons Implement Stricter Parcel Delivery Rules at Rohini and Other Jails
In June, Delhi Prisons implemented a new Standard Operating Procedure (SOP) mandating stricter inspection and audit rules for all parcels sent to inmates at Rohini, Tihar, and Mandoli jails. Approved by the Director General of Prisons, the new guidelines aim to ensure all prisoners can receive authorized packages without discrimination while enhancing security and reducing disputes.
Under the June order, the right to receive authorized parcels from family members or legal counsel has been extended to all prisoners, including both undertrials and convicts. No prisoner can be denied this facility except for recorded security reasons.
The new protocol dictates that all parcels must be received at the gate by a duty officer or Central Public Relation Office (CPRO) official holding a rank not below assistant superintendent. The packages must then be opened in the presence of an officer of at least the rank of deputy superintendent and, whenever possible, the inmate.
This SOP replaces previous practices governed by the Jail Manual 2018. The older manual lacked clarity regarding which officers were responsible for receiving and inspecting packages, and did not allow inmates to be present during the inspection. Additionally, the previous manual allowed superintendents to withhold articles for any "sufficient reason," which frequently led to disputes.
Under the new guidelines, packages will be received and inspected by three officials. A detailed inventory of every parcel must be maintained in the prisoner’s property register. Any delay or rejection of a parcel must be recorded in writing by the jail superintendent, who must cite specific security reasons.
Furthermore, any parcels containing tobacco, narcotics, weapons, currency, or unauthorized electronic devices will be confiscated immediately, and action will be taken under the Prisons Act. If contraband is detected in a parcel delivered in person, the sender's signature must be obtained, though parcels received by post are exempt from this signature requirement.
To ensure compliance, authorities have been instructed to use X-ray scanners to screen suspicious parcels. Additionally, the Welfare Officer will conduct weekly audits of the parcel register to ensure no category of prisoners is systematically denied the facility. The prison headquarters warned that any deviation from the new rules by staff members would be viewed seriously.
