Chandigarh: Taking suo moto cognisance of concerns over suicides, prison violence, overcrowding and inadequate mental healthcare facilities in Haryana jails — as highlighted in the National Crime Records Bureau's "Prison Statistics India-2024" report — the Haryana Human Rights Commission (HHRC) on Friday directed senior state authorities to submit detailed reports on prison conditions and inmate welfare.A bench comprising Justice Lalit Batra, Kuldip Jain and Deep Bhatia termed the matter "a grave violation of prisoners' human rights".The commission observed that prisoners and undertrial inmates continue to enjoy constitutional protections under Article 21 of the Constitution of India, including the right to live with dignity, access healthcare and receive mental health support, despite being incarcerated.According to the NCRB report placed before the commission, Haryana recorded 15 unnatural inmate deaths in 2024, all of which were classified as suicides. The report also stated that Haryana was the only state in the country to report firearm-related violent clashes within prison premises. Concerns regarding depression, stress, overcrowding, withdrawal-related issues and lack of counselling facilities were also highlighted.The commission emphasised that custodial institutions are constitutionally bound to protect inmates from self-harm, violence, mental trauma and social isolation. It noted that custodial suicides can largely be prevented through timely psychiatric intervention, regular counselling, emotional rehabilitation and effective grievance redressal systems.Referring to Haryana Prison Rules, 2022, the commission also highlighted provisions relating to suicide prevention and monitoring of inmates showing suicidal tendencies. The rules mandate strict control over access to dangerous tools and substances within prison premises and require close supervision and counselling support for vulnerable inmates.The commission also recalled previous inspections conducted in Haryana prisons, particularly at District Jail Kurukshetra, where female inmates reported that psychologists and counsellors visited only once a month. Earlier directions were issued to strengthen counselling mechanisms and involve psychology students in rehabilitation programmes.The bench has now sought detailed reports from the Haryana home department, health department and the director general of prisons regarding mental healthcare staffing, suicide prevention protocols, prison overcrowding, CCTV monitoring systems, custodial violence prevention measures and implementation of prison rules related to inmate welfare.MSID:: 131119594 413 |