Inmates of Tamil Nadu prisons are treated worse than animals
TNN | Nov 3, 2018, 09.09 AM IST
CHENNAI: Describing the condition of inmates in TN central prisons as ‘worse than that of animals,’ a Madras high court-appointed amicus curiae has submitted a damning report to the court questioning the reformative role of prison administration.
Senior advocate and amicus curiae R Vaigai, who visited the central prisons in Vellore, Trichy, Madurai and Sivaganga between October 15 and 27 to study the condition and basic amenities there, has submitted a preliminary report to the court. A division bench headed by Justice S Manikumar had named Vaigai as amicus curiae on October 3, to assist it and submit a report on Tamil Nadu prisons, along with her recommendations.
Vaigai’s report sheds light on the inhuman conditions prevailing behind the high walls of central prisons in the state. It highlights the cases of several prisoners who have been suffering without proper medical care and says prison toilets have been turned into a “hell on earth”.
A prison department report said the state prisons witnessed 469 deaths in the last seven years. Of these, 395 were due to health problems and 49 were suicide. The remaining died due to attack by fellow prisoners and while out on parole.
Vaigai told TOI, “The existing condition and practice in the central prisons killed the very concept of reformation and rehabilitation of the prisoners, who are treated worse than animals.” Since a majority of the prisoners hailed from below the poverty line and there was no legal support for them to fight their case, they were condemned for decades. “There are prisoners above 90 years of age,” she said.
The amicus curiae’s report cites the case of life convict Paulraj, 78, and says he was suffering from schizophrenia and that he was totally blind.
The report further said almost one-third of the convicts were under psychiatric medication with most being treated for anxiety and depression. Prisoners with mental illnesses of varying degrees are being kept in isolation and a fellow convict is their caregiver. “They are in a pathetic state, in very poor hygiene with hardly any psychiatric support, apart from the medicines that are given to them. The prisoners suffering from mental disorders should be released and rehabilitated in a facility outside the prison,” Vaigai said in the report.
Expressing shock over the poor medical care and the condition of the inmates, a member, who assisted the amicus curiae, said several prisoners had been suffering due to age-related ailments and were chronically ill. But they were left without due medical care.
Authorities, however, play the blamegame. They are not able to send inmates for treatment and check-ups for want of escorts. “Due to poor escort service from police, prisoners suffering from mental illnesses have been denied monthly check-up for four months now,” said a prison official in Vellore.
TNN | Nov 3, 2018, 09.09 AM IST
CHENNAI: Describing the condition of inmates in TN central prisons as ‘worse than that of animals,’ a Madras high court-appointed amicus curiae has submitted a damning report to the court questioning the reformative role of prison administration.
Senior advocate and amicus curiae R Vaigai, who visited the central prisons in Vellore, Trichy, Madurai and Sivaganga between October 15 and 27 to study the condition and basic amenities there, has submitted a preliminary report to the court. A division bench headed by Justice S Manikumar had named Vaigai as amicus curiae on October 3, to assist it and submit a report on Tamil Nadu prisons, along with her recommendations.
Vaigai’s report sheds light on the inhuman conditions prevailing behind the high walls of central prisons in the state. It highlights the cases of several prisoners who have been suffering without proper medical care and says prison toilets have been turned into a “hell on earth”.
A prison department report said the state prisons witnessed 469 deaths in the last seven years. Of these, 395 were due to health problems and 49 were suicide. The remaining died due to attack by fellow prisoners and while out on parole.
Vaigai told TOI, “The existing condition and practice in the central prisons killed the very concept of reformation and rehabilitation of the prisoners, who are treated worse than animals.” Since a majority of the prisoners hailed from below the poverty line and there was no legal support for them to fight their case, they were condemned for decades. “There are prisoners above 90 years of age,” she said.
The amicus curiae’s report cites the case of life convict Paulraj, 78, and says he was suffering from schizophrenia and that he was totally blind.
The report further said almost one-third of the convicts were under psychiatric medication with most being treated for anxiety and depression. Prisoners with mental illnesses of varying degrees are being kept in isolation and a fellow convict is their caregiver. “They are in a pathetic state, in very poor hygiene with hardly any psychiatric support, apart from the medicines that are given to them. The prisoners suffering from mental disorders should be released and rehabilitated in a facility outside the prison,” Vaigai said in the report.
Expressing shock over the poor medical care and the condition of the inmates, a member, who assisted the amicus curiae, said several prisoners had been suffering due to age-related ailments and were chronically ill. But they were left without due medical care.
Authorities, however, play the blamegame. They are not able to send inmates for treatment and check-ups for want of escorts. “Due to poor escort service from police, prisoners suffering from mental illnesses have been denied monthly check-up for four months now,” said a prison official in Vellore.
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