Recently, Dera Sacha Sauda chief Gurmeet Ram Rahim Singh, who is serving a 20-year prison sentence for raping two of his disciples and is lodged in Sunaria jail in Haryana’s Rohtak, was again granted a 40-day parole.
Prior to his latest parole, Singh has come out of prison 14 times since being convicted in 2017.
Difference between parole and furlough
Furlough
Parole
Granting Authority
Deputy Inspector General of Prisons
Divisional Commissioner
Sentence Status
Continues to run. For example, if a person has been sentenced to 10 years’ imprisonment and is released on furlough for 30 days, in effect he will be in jail for 9 years 11 months and yet will be deemed to have completed the sentence.
When the convict is released on parole, the sentence is suspended and the quantum of sentence remains intact. The days of leave aren’t included within the sentenced period.
Sentence type
Furlough is usually granted in case of long-term imprisonment
Paroles are granted in short-term imprisonment.
Reason
No reason is required. Furlough is meant for breaking the monotony of imprisonment.
For parole, a specific reason is required.
Grant Limitation
There is limitation in the case of furlough grant.
Parole can be granted a number of times.
Duration
Max 14 days
30-40 Days.
Similarities
Both furlough and parole stem from jail manuals and prison rule and are in the domain of the executive.
Both are conditional releases, subject to good behavior in prison and to not committing specific offences.
Under-trial prisoners are not eligible for regular parole and furlough.
Which one of the following correctly describes the legal status of parole and furlough? (a) Both parole and furlough are legal rights of prisoners. (b) Parole is a legal right, whereas furlough is a privilege. (c) Furlough is a legal right, whereas parole is a privilege. (d) Neither parole nor furlough can be considered legal rights.
Ans- D Explanation o Parole is a temporary, conditional release granted to a prisoner by the executive authority. It is not a legal right of the prisoner but a discretionary relief, granted on humanitarian or emergency grounds under the relevant State Prison Rules. o Furlough is also a temporary release, but it is considered a reformative measure. Unlike parole, furlough is treated as a statutory right subject to eligibility conditions, provided under State Prison Rules, and is granted periodically unless specifically denied for valid reasons. However, both are considered privileges granted at the discretion of prison authorities, not absolute entitlements.
