3.51 Overcrowding in jails, caused largely because of the vast number of under-trials, continued to create conditions grossly at variance with the demands of. human dignity. A visit to Meerut jail by the staff of the Commission revealed the presence of some 3000 persons in that prlson, as against a declared capacity of 650. The Commission had expressed the hope, in its last report, that the far-reaching judgement by the Supreme Court in the case Common Cause vs Union of India (Writ petition No.1128 of 1986) wou:d greatly expedite the disposal of cases pending in criminal courts in the country. Yet the situation appears still to be grim. The Commission has, accordingly, requested all Inspectors General of Prisons to send monthly reports to it giving details of the numbers of under-trial prisoners in their jails. The data received over a period of time will be carefully analyzed by the Commission in order to assess the impact of the judgement, and to see what next needs to be done. 3.52 In an interssting recent development, the Mumbai High Court, in Writ Petition No.3899/96 (Muktaram Sitaram Shinde vs State of Maharashtra) has asked the State Government to appoint nominees of the National Human Rights Commission as exofficio or non-official visitors to the jails in that State. The Commission is seized of this matter and,will soon make its nominations. It believes that such a'step will lead to 'increased transparency in the administration of jails and also add strength to'the Commission's efforts to improve the condition of jails in the country. As a pradical guide to those whose duty it is to inspect jails, the Commission has prepared a check-list, in consultation with experts, of the issues to be kept in mind. This check-list has been circulated to Inspectors General of Prisons for their comments, after which it will be finalized and made available for general use. 3.53 3.54 During its visits to prisons in various States, the Commission obsewed that Sessions Judges were not visiting jails in t h e regular manner that is required by Prison Manuals. .The Chairperson accordingly wrote to the Chief Justices of the High Courts of all states on 25 ~epternbe; 1996 requesting them to direct the Sessions Judges to fulfill their duties more diligently. A number of Chief Justices have replied saying that t h e - have issued the appropriate instructions. 3.55 ' The lack of adequate knowledge and of training of prison staff of different ranks is of deep concern to the Commission. As a step in the direction of remedying this situation, the Commission has, in coltaboration with the National Institute of Criminology and Forensic Sciences, New Delhi, xganized a five-day course for senior prison officers between 28 July 1996 - 1A u g ~ a1996. t As the effort evoked a positive response,