MHA to state home department-facilities in jails be strengthen; avoid referral of inmates outside the jail
Kanwar Inder Singh/ royalpatiala.in
Ministry of Home Affairs (MHA) has directed the state home secretaries and head state jail departments to take effective measures in prison department and strengthening security arrangements in the prison.
The home ministry has raises its concern with the states over the non adoption of Model Prison Manual, 2016. The latest letter read “many states are yet to confirm the status of adoption of the Model Prison Manual, 2016 in their jurisdictions. States and UTs are requested to expedite the same.”
The union home ministry has asked the state governments and prison authorities should take effective steps to prevent prisons from becoming breeding ground for anti- national activities, for which regular inspection of prisons may be conducted. The inmates may also be motivated to leave the life of crime and become responsible citizens of the nation.
“Prisons, prison staff may be rotated on a regular basis. Inter jail (not Intra-Jail) transfer of staff every two years is considered desirable “suggested by the MHA authorities.
The MHA authorities has suggested the state home secretaries, head jail department to strengthen the medical facilities in jail hospitals/ dispensary and improved in such a manner that reduces the requirement of referral of inmates outside the prison complex. Psychological assessment of inmates by competent medical professionals may be encouraged to reduce depression in prison inmates and provide them with a positive outlook in life.
In another suggestion, the home ministry authorities has suggested to assess the inmates by Psychologists and Correctional Experts may be done wherever necessary for studying the stress and behavioral issues of inmates and appropriate programs may be prescribed for them.
The home ministry has also suggested to the state prison department officials to encourage their staff to make use of innovative methods for better prison administration and may also be provided up skilling in this regard. Non-habitual criminals among the prisoners should be trained to impart training to other prisoners.
“Effective jamming solutions with the use of modern day advances in technology may be ensured to restrict illegal access / use of mobile phones by inmates” is also one of the suggestions that is forwarded by the MHA to the states.
May 3,2022
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