NHRC Suggests Screening Inmates' Mental Health to Prevent Prison Suicides
NEW DELHI: The National Human Rights Commission (NHRC) has recently put forward a set of recommendations aimed at reducing the number of suicides among inmates in prisons across the country. The advisory, addressed to central and state governments as well as Union Territories, highlights the need for enhanced mental health screening during the admission process and continuous monitoring of at-risk prisoners.
The NHRC's observations have revealed that a significant majority of unnatural deaths among prisoners occur due to suicide. To address this issue, the commission has emphasized the importance of improving prison architecture and creating an environment that discourages suicide attempts among inmates in judicial custody.
One of the key recommendations put forth by the NHRC is the elimination of objects within the prison premises that can be utilized for hanging, such as iron rods, grills, fans, and hooks. The commission stresses the importance of keeping barracks and toilets, which are common locations for suicides, free from such objects.
Furthermore, the NHRC suggests promoting visits by family members or facilitating phone conversations to provide emotional support to inmates and prevent them from reaching a breaking point.
In addition to these measures, the NHRC has outlined several other points that the authorities should consider. These include increasing the number of prison staff and providing them with appropriate training, conducting mental health screenings for all prisoners upon admission, implementing regular monitoring procedures for high-risk individuals, and addressing issues related to addiction among inmates.
The NHRC also recommends that prison authorities take preventive measures such as keeping abrasive and corrosive chemicals used for cleaning toilets out of prisoners' reach. Additionally, ropes, glass, wooden ladders, and pipes should be securely stored to prevent their misuse.
To ensure the safety of inmates, the NHRC suggests regular inspections of bed sheets and blankets to identify potential risks associated with their use for self-harm. The commission also recommends the adoption of the Gatekeeper Model, developed by the World Health Organization, which involves training selected inmates to recognize signs of suicidal behavior in their peers.
Devendra Kumar Singh, the Secretary General of the NHRC, has called for an "Action Taken Report" within three months from the relevant authorities regarding the implementation of these recommendations.
By implementing these suggestions, the NHRC aims to create a safer prison environment and minimize the occurrence of suicides among incarcerated individuals. The commission believes that measures such as mental health screening, continuous monitoring, improved infrastructure, and enhanced support systems will contribute to achieving this goal.
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