The problems are many, including inadequate physical facilities for a majority of prisons, unqualified prison personnel, overcrowding, official abuse of inmates' rights, and the absence of reform leadership among corrections administrators. Most inmates belong to the underprivileged class, and women, children, young offenders, and adults are not effectively segregated in the prisons. Facilities are inadequate to treat and segregate inmates suffering from infectious diseases and mental disorders. Prison industries and work programs are archaic and devoid of any rehabilitative value for inmates. Inmates have been victimized by torture, cruelty, atrocities, and violation of their human rights. India's Supreme Court, however, has been responsive to such abuses litigated before it, and efforts are underway to remedy them. State governments and the Union of India have taken various steps to improve the quality of training for police, the judiciary, and correctional officials. Also, several committees on prison reform have been established. 4 references.