NHRC issues notice to the Government of Bihar over reported deplorable conditions of prisons in the State (06.1.2016)
PRESS RELEASE
New Delhi, 6th January, 2016
The National Human Rights Commission has taken suo motu cognizance of a media report revealing the deplorable conditions prevailing in the prisons of Bihar. This story is based on an exhaustive report titled "Prisons of Bihar:- Status Report-2015" prepared by Smita Chakraburty, an activist and researcher. She was assigned a project by Justice V.N. Sinha, Judge of Patna High Court and Executive Chairman, Bihar State Legal Services Authority, to visit all the 58 prisons of Bihar to study the living conditions and submit a report.
The Commission has observed that although it is not oblivious of the ills plaguing the prison system in the country as a whole, the present cover story discloses gross violation of human rights of the prisoners that are under the care and custody of the State. Accordingly, it has issued notices to the Chief Secretary and Director General of Prisons, Government of Bihar for factual reports within four weeks.
Reportedly, Ms. Chakraburty interviewed as many as 30070 inmates during her study. The final report was released on November, 15, 2015. The report is an eye opener and throws light on the denial of basic human rights of prisoners in Bihar and points to the urgent need for prison reforms across the country. The following issues have been highlighted in the report:
" Complete absence of medical facilities in prisons, particularly for women;
" Bias against terror accused and undertrials by denying them even the copy of chargesheet in cases against them;
" Forced Labour by undertrials which is punishable under Indian Penal Code;
" Punishment of prisoners, under the discretionary powers provided by the Prison Manual Rules without supervision by an appellate body;
" Denial of free legal aid counsel to undertrials, as very few advocates meet the undertrials in the court and they are not represented when produced before the Magistrate;
" Condition of women prisoners and need of medical and psychiatric help etc.;
The cover story also carries an interview of Justice V.N. Sinha who commissioned the Bihar Prison Inspection besides an article "Neglected Reforms" which makes reference to the initiatives and recommendations of the National Human Rights Commission on the subject of Prison Reforms.
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New Delhi, 6th January, 2016
The National Human Rights Commission has taken suo motu cognizance of a media report revealing the deplorable conditions prevailing in the prisons of Bihar. This story is based on an exhaustive report titled "Prisons of Bihar:- Status Report-2015" prepared by Smita Chakraburty, an activist and researcher. She was assigned a project by Justice V.N. Sinha, Judge of Patna High Court and Executive Chairman, Bihar State Legal Services Authority, to visit all the 58 prisons of Bihar to study the living conditions and submit a report.
The Commission has observed that although it is not oblivious of the ills plaguing the prison system in the country as a whole, the present cover story discloses gross violation of human rights of the prisoners that are under the care and custody of the State. Accordingly, it has issued notices to the Chief Secretary and Director General of Prisons, Government of Bihar for factual reports within four weeks.
Reportedly, Ms. Chakraburty interviewed as many as 30070 inmates during her study. The final report was released on November, 15, 2015. The report is an eye opener and throws light on the denial of basic human rights of prisoners in Bihar and points to the urgent need for prison reforms across the country. The following issues have been highlighted in the report:
" Complete absence of medical facilities in prisons, particularly for women;
" Bias against terror accused and undertrials by denying them even the copy of chargesheet in cases against them;
" Forced Labour by undertrials which is punishable under Indian Penal Code;
" Punishment of prisoners, under the discretionary powers provided by the Prison Manual Rules without supervision by an appellate body;
" Denial of free legal aid counsel to undertrials, as very few advocates meet the undertrials in the court and they are not represented when produced before the Magistrate;
" Condition of women prisoners and need of medical and psychiatric help etc.;
The cover story also carries an interview of Justice V.N. Sinha who commissioned the Bihar Prison Inspection besides an article "Neglected Reforms" which makes reference to the initiatives and recommendations of the National Human Rights Commission on the subject of Prison Reforms.
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