India's first open prison was established in 1949, when a small annex was created at the model prison, Lucknow. In the 1950's and 1960's, the open prison movement spread; now there are 22 open prisons functioning in 12 States. Most are operated as agricultural farms and occupy cultivable land ranging from 15 acres to 1,000 acres. Eight States have rules governing the open prisons: these rules specify eligibility criteria, living conditions, incentives for sentence remission, wages, code of conduct, and discipline procedures. Inmates of open prisons are allowed greater freedom of movement and closer contact with the surrounding community than are inmates of more restrictive prisons. At several prisons, including those at Uttar Pradesh and Rajasthan, inmates are granted liberal remission at the rate of 1 day for each day's stay in the institution. Parole exists under different connotations, such as home leave or furlough. In many States parole rules for inmates of open prisons are the same as those for inmates of other prisons. No uniform system for fixing wages for inmate work in open prisons exists, and there is no systematic effort to help inmates find employment after release. Suggestions for improving the open prison program are offered, and the importance of providing inmate vocational training is noted.