OUTCOMES OF ECO‑SUSTAINABLE PRISON INFRASTRUCTURE IN INDIA: RESOURCE CONSERVATION, WASTE MANAGEMENT, AND SOCIOECONOMIC EFFECTS

Lallan Ojha; Arunanshu Dubey

doi:10.29121/shodhkosh.v7.i9s.2026.7967

Authors

Lallan Ojha Research Scholar, Institute of Legal Studies and Research, GLA University, Mathura, India
Dr. Arunanshu Dubey Assistant Professor, Institute of Legal Studies and Research, GLA University, Mathura, India

DOI:

https://doi.org/10.29121/shodhkosh.v7.i9s.2026.7967

Keywords:

Sustainable Prisons, Resource Conservation, Waste Management, Environmental Governance, India

Abstract [English]

Indian correctional institutions face increasing pressure due to overcrowding, high resource consumption and environmental degradation. Integrating environmental protection measures within prison infrastructure offers an opportunity to promote ecological sustainability while contributing to socioeconomic development. This study examines eco-sustainable initiatives in Indian prisons, focusing on resource conservation, waste management systems, renewable energy adoption and water efficiency measures. The analysis highlights how green prison reforms reduce operational costs, minimise environmental footprints and enhance rehabilitation outcomes through skill development and environmental awareness among inmates. Case-based observations from selected Indian states demonstrate the potential of sustainable correctional facilities to contribute to national environmental goals and the Sustainable Development Agenda. The findings suggest that eco-sustainable prison infrastructure not only supports environmental protection but also fosters long-term socioeconomic benefits through employment generation, reduced recidivism and improved public health outcomes. Policy recommendations are proposed to strengthen environmental governance in correctional institutions

References

Aggarwal, A. (2023). The Indian Prison and Apathy of Prisoners in the 21st Century: A Reformative Approach. CPJ Law Journal, 14, 174.

Blumenshine, P., Egerter, S., Barclay, C. J., Cubbin, C., and Braveman, P. A. (2010). Socioeconomic Disparities in Adverse Birth Outcomes: A Systematic Review. American Journal of Preventive Medicine, 39(3), 263–272. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.amepre.2010.05.012

Bridge, G., and Perreault, T. (2009). Environmental Governance. In N. Castree, D. Demeritt, D. Liverman, and B. Rhoads (Eds.), A Companion to Environmental Geography ( 475–497). Wiley-Blackwell. https://doi.org/10.1002/9781444305722.ch28

Glewwe, P. (2002). Schools and Skills in Developing Countries: Education Policies and Socioeconomic Outcomes. Journal of Economic Literature, 40(2), 436–482. https://doi.org/10.1257/jel.40.2.436

Hovdhaugen, E., Frølich, N., and Aamodt, P. O. (2013). Informing Institutional Management: Institutional Strategies and Student Retention. European Journal of Education, 48(1), 165–177. https://doi.org/10.1111/ejed.12002

Jeffry, L., Ong, M. Y., Nomanbhay, S., Mofijur, M., Mubashir, M., and Show, P. L. (2021). Greenhouse Gases Utilization: A Review. Fuel, 301, 121017. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.fuel.2021.121017

Kiang, M. Y. (2003). A Comparative Assessment of Classification Methods. Decision Support Systems, 35(4), 441–454. https://doi.org/10.1016/S0167-9236(02)00110-0

Li, Y., Chen, X., Wang, X., Xu, Y., and Chen, P. H. (2017). A Review of Studies on Green Building Assessment Methods by Comparative Analysis. Energy and Buildings, 146, 152–159. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.enbuild.2017.04.076

Mytton, D. (2021). Data Centre Water Consumption. npj Clean Water, 4(1), 11. https://doi.org/10.1038/s41545-021-00101-w

Parris, T. M., and Kates, R. W. (2003). Characterizing and Measuring Sustainable Development. Annual Review of Environment and Resources, 28(1), 559–586. https://doi.org/10.1146/annurev.energy.28.050302.105551

Pfister, S., Bayer, P., Koehler, A., and Hellweg, S. (2011). Projected Water Consumption in Future Global Agriculture: Scenarios and Related Impacts. Science of the Total Environment, 409(20), 4206–4216. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.scitotenv.2011.07.019

Rost, S., Gerten, D., Bondeau, A., Lucht, W., Rohwer, J., and Schaphoff, S. (2008). Agricultural Green and Blue Water Consumption and its Influence on the Global Water System. Water Resources Research, 44(9). https://doi.org/10.1029/2007WR006331

Sechelski, A. N., and Onwuegbuzie, A. J. (2019). A Call for Enhancing Saturation at the Qualitative Data Analysis Stage Via the Use of Multiple Qualitative Data Analysis Approaches. The Qualitative Report, 24(4), 795–821. https://doi.org/10.46743/2160-3715/2019.3554

Sznajd-Weron, K., and Sznajd, J. (2000). Opinion Evolution in Closed Community. International Journal of Modern Physics C, 11(6), 1157–1165. https://doi.org/10.1142/S0129183100000936

Trushna, T., Krishnan, K., Soni, R., Singh, S., Kalyanasundaram, M., Annerstedt, K. S., and Diwan, V. (2024). Interventions to Promote Household Waste Segregation: A Systematic Review. Heliyon, 10(2), e24332. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.heliyon.2024.e24332

Westerman, P. W., and Bicudo, J. R. (2005). Management Considerations for Organic Waste use in Agriculture. Bioresource Technology, 96(2), 215–221. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.biortech.2004.05.011

Yao, Y., Zhu, X., Xu, Y., Yang, H., Wu, X., Li, Y., and Zhang, Y. (2012). Assessing the Visual Quality of Green Landscaping in Rural Residential Areas: The Case of Changzhou, China. Environmental Monitoring and Assessment, 184(2), 951–967. https://doi.org/10.1007/s10661-011-2012-z