India, Dec. 23 -- New Delhi [India] December 23 (ANI) The Ministry of Home Affairs (MHA) has reviewed and revised over two-year-old guidelines and Standard Operating Procedure (SOP) for the implementation of the "Support to Poor Prisoners" scheme, citing inadequate and sub-optimal execution across several states and Union Territories (UTs).

The scheme, launched in 2023, aims to provide financial assistance to indigent prisoners whose release is delayed solely due to their inability to pay court-imposed fines or furnish bail because of economic hardship. The original guidelines and SOP were issued to all states and UTs on June 19, 2023.

In a letter dated December 2, addressed to the Chief Secretaries as well as Directors General and Insp...