The sole aim of Correctional Administration is correction of criminals and to ensure a crime free society by rehabilitating the offenders in different occupations. In order to achieve this goal we are offering a three tier filtration system by which an offender can be corrected and lead a decent life in the society. This is known as Care and Correction (which includes pre-care, care and post care).

Pre –Care (probation)

Probation is a method of non-custodial treatment of offenders. It is a system or procedure under which the offender, after conviction, is released on bond of good behaviour instead of being sent to the prison. The basic purpose is to keep the delinquent away from the evil consequences of incarceration and offer him an opportunity to lead a useful life without violating the law. During the period of probation, the court keeps the sentence in abeyance and allows the offender to remain in the society. Whenever the offender violates any of the conditions imposed, he may be called upon to serve the sentence kept under abeyance. In this method the probation officer plays the role of a friend, philosopher and guide to the probationer.

Utility of Probation: – (objective of probation & benefit of probation)

• Probation keeps the offender away from the criminal world. If the offender is set at liberty without guidance and supervision, he would feel that his delinquent conduct has been accepted by the society and thus he will continue his criminal activities without any fear.
• The fear of punishment in case of violation of bond has a psychological effect on the offender. It prevents the probationer from law-breaking during the period of probation. Thus, probation indirectly prevents the offender from adopting a revengeful attitude towards the society.
• Probation keeps the offender away from the evil consequences of incarceration. Further, it prevents the offender from contamination and confirming to a criminal career.
• A person released under the provision of the P.O. Act shall not suffer disqualification attached to conviction. This provision has been made it easy for the rehabilitation of the offender.
• Sentencing the offender to imprisonment is a huge financial burden upon the State whereas probation system helps in reducing that expenditure to a great extent.
• Being dealt under the provision of this Act, the offender is allowed to stay at his home along with his family members. Family ties do not break up. Had he been convicted and sentenced to imprisonment, his family members would have starved.
• An offender released on probation of good conduct is benefited by probation services i.e. guidance, counselling, financial assistance etc. He can be rehabilitated with the help of probation machinery.

Duties and functions of District Probation Officers-

• To inquire, in accordance with any directions of a court, into the circumstances or home    surroundings of any person accused of an offence with a view to assist the court in determining the most suitable method of dealing with him and submit reports to the court;
• To supervise probationers and other persons placed under his supervision and, where necessary, endeavour to find them suitable employment;
• To advise and assist offenders in the payment of compensation or costs ordered by the court;
• To advise and assist, in such cases and in such manner as may be prescribed, persons who have been released under section 4; and
• To perform such other duties as may be prescribed.

In addition to the duties of probation officers elsewhere prescribed in these rules (Probation    of Offenders Rules, 1962), the District Probation Officer shall –

• Be responsible for the working of probation in the whole area within his jurisdiction;
• Control, guide and supervise the work of Honorary or Special Probation Officers in the district;
• Be the Drawing and Disbursing Officer in respect of all expenses connected with the probation work in the district;
• Remain in overall charge of the probation hostel established by the State Government in the district;
• Submit to the Chief Probation Officer a half-yearly report on the conduct and progress of all probationers in his jurisdiction and reports of cases dealt with under Sec. 9 of the Act, which shall, among other particulars, contain the following, namely:

1. Number of probationers at the beginning of the half year;
2. Number of offenders placed on probation during the half-year;
3. Number of probationers whose probation terminated during the half-year;
4. Number of probationers who reverted to crime during the half-year;
5. General remarks on the psychological changes of the probationers, employment secured, education and other activities towards reclamation during the half-year;
6. Number of probationers at the end of the half-year ;
7. Submit to the Inspector-General, the Chief Probation Officer, the District Magistrate and the court such other reports as may be required by the Chief Probation Officer, Regional Probation Officer or the Inspector-General or the State Government:
8. Perform such other functions as may be assigned to him by the Chief Probation Officer, Regional Probation or the Inspector General.

Duties & functions of Sub Divisional Probation Officer–

• To inquire, in accordance with any directions of a court, into the circumstances or home surroundings of any person accused of an offence with a view to assist the court in determining the most suitable method of dealing with him and submit reports to the court;
• To supervise probationers and other persons placed under his supervision and, where necessary, endeavour to find them suitable employment;
• To advise and assist offenders in the payment of compensation or costs ordered by the court;
• To advise and assist, in such cases and in such manner as may be prescribed, persons who have been released under section 4; and
• To perform such other duties as may be prescribed ;
• To submit to the Inspector General of Prisons, the Chief Probation Officer, District Magistrate and the Court such other reports as may be required by the Inspector General of Prisons, the Chief Probation Officer, the Regional Probation Officer or District Probation Officer. 

Care (Prison)

Prisons are no more a place of punishment. Prison administration has gained lot of significance in recent times. Therefore proper treatment of criminal has been accepted as society’s responsibility. With the gradual awareness of social responsibility the basis of punishment which was formerly retributive and deterrent has been accepted as reformative and rehabilitation.  It is realised that every criminal who has erred against society has latent potentialities which must be discovered `and strengthened for their rehabilitation by those who are responsible for their treatment. Therefore when a person enters the prison the punishment stops and the correction starts. Correction means reformation with appropriate skill for a particular individual, so that after stepping out from the prison he /she can lead a decent and honourable life. The sole objective of prison is to impart proper skill to the inmates, Once an inmate is admitted to prison an integrated care treatment plan starts by the Correctional Officers. To ensure this facilities Prison Welfare Officers are there in all districts jails whose prime job is to extend all the correctional measures for the best interest of the inmates. In Jail administration Prison Welfare Officer plays a key role in solving all the problems related to inmates. 

Different correctional measures which are being provided to the inmates under care and treatment plan inside the prison are as follows.

Post –care (After care)

This is the last stage of treatment of an offender in the correctional administration.  The institution of After Care Service was created with an aim and objective of providing rehabilitation facilities to the released prisoners. After release from prison an offender is given a chance to stay in this short stay home for his better rehabilitation in the society. Another purpose behind the introduction of this scheme was to act as stage preparatory to merge into the mainstream of the society after removal of social stigma attaching to conviction. During his stay in the after care home the correctional officer will coordinate with the different Govt. agencies for his rehabilitation in the society. This process has been called as the “released prisoner’s convalescence.”

The aftercare scheme came  into force in our state in the year 1957. Though several after care shelters were established at Cuttack, Puri, Balasore, Sambalpur Sundargarh, Bolangir & Koraput in a phased manner, all excepting Cuttack were abolished in 2004 due to non admission of adequate number of inmates.  Besides two Central Homes were established at Baripada and Berhmapur for admission of discharged male and female prisoners respectively. These two institutions are still in existence in our state, they are called Central Home for men located at Baripada and Central Home for women at Berhampur. Subsequently the Central Home for women at Berhampur has been transferred from the administrative control of Home (Jails) Department to the administrative control of Women & Child Development department. The entire process of correctional programme would be successful if an offender is rehabilitated properly in the society.