Noting that several convicts released on parole were often unaware of the severe consequences of not returning to jail within the stipulated time, the Karnataka High Court directed the prison authorities to educate all convicts about the stringent measures that include imprisonment of up to five years in case they are found guilty of violating the conditions of their parole. will not surrender after the end of the conditional release period.
At the time of parole, the Superintendent of Prisons or the designated Parole Officer shall compulsorily inform every convict in a language understood by the convict of the conditions of release and the specific consequences of failure to surrender within the stipulated time, including the penalty prescribed in Section 58 of the Karnataka Prisons (Amendment) Act, 2022.
Justice Sachin Shankar Magadum gave the direction while upholding the conviction of Shankuntal, 47, of Bagalkot for failing to return to prison after the expiry of his parole period. Although she claimed she was unwell and was with her son during COVID-19 when she was paroled, the court found she did not provide any medical records to support her claim.
Ignorance
Although the purpose of Section 58 is to ensure that the limited freedom granted to convicts on parole is not abused and that the sanctity of court orders and prison discipline is preserved, the ignorance of convicts often leads to their further prosecution and solitary confinement, in addition to the sentence for the crime for which they were found guilty, the Court said.
This situation, the court said, “warrants a proactive approach by the prison administration to educate and sensitize convicts about the statutory obligations attached to parole and the severe criminal consequences that follow in case of non-compliance”.
Informative brochures
The Prisons Department, in coordination with the Karnataka State Legal Services Authority, should prepare an information brochure or pamphlet in Kannada and English summarizing the rights, duties and obligations of parolees, including penal provisions governing parole violations, and should be distributed to all jails and made available to inmates and their family members, the court said.
The court said the District Legal Services Authority should ensure that every convict applying for parole is informed of the conditions and potential consequences through legal literacy meetings held on the prison premises at regular intervals.
Published – 17 Oct 2025 20:43 IST
