DEATHS IN JAILS

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RAJYA SABHA

According to the National Human Rights Commission (NHRC), 1340 cases of custodial deaths including 1157 in judicial custody and 183 in police custody have been reported during the period from 1.4.2002 to 31.3.2003. There are various reasons for these deaths, which include natural deaths, deaths due to illness, inadequate medical attention and deaths due to atrocities allegedly committed while in custody.

Giving this information in the Rajya Sabha today the Minister of State for Home, Shri Harin Pathak said the NHRC has issued instructions from time to time to State Governments for improving conditions of jails, providing medical treatment to prisoners, their humane treatment and in dealing with matters relating to deaths in police and judicial custody.

The Central Government have also impressed upon the States regularly drawing their attention to the recommendations made by various expert committees including those of the NHRC for improving the conditions of jails. Besides providing financial assistance for modernization of prison administration, the Central Government has also circulated a draft Model Prison Manual among the States, which takes into account the concerns of the NHRC.