Shillong, February 27 In a move aimed at strengthening prison reforms and inclusivity, the Meghalaya Assembly on Friday passed a bill with specific provisions for transgender inmates in prisons.
Deputy Chief Minister S Dhar introduced the bill earlier this week.
The Meghalaya Prison and Correctional Services Bill, 2026, provides for a separate prison regimen for transgender prisoners, recognizing their specific needs within correctional institutions.
Under the legislation, separate enclosures or wards for transgender prisoners, including both trans men and trans women, may be provided as prescribed under the rules.
The bill further states that transgender prisoners may be given access to specific health-care and psycho-social care services.
It also provides that transgender inmates may be allowed access to correctional programs and activities.
A senior prison department official said the new law seeks to modernize prison administration in the state, align it with contemporary correctional standards, and ensure the safety, dignity, and rehabilitation of all inmates.