Member of the State Human Rights Commission C.G. Hungund expressed displeasure over the lack of basic amenities in Gulbarga Central Prison and denial of medical treatment facilities to convicted prisoners and those under trial.
Expressing surprise over the number of applications received from prison inmates on various issues, Mr. Hungund said it was the first time that he had received such a large number of petitions from prisoners.
These applications, which were duly sent to the Inspector-General of Prisons, were not being sent to the departments concerned for the necessary action.
According to Mr. Hungund, the post of the medical officer had remained vacant for a long time. Directions have been issued to prison authorities to fill up vacant posts. The first priority of prison authorities should be to maintain the health of prisoners and provide them with clean food and water.
‘Maintain cleanliness’
Unfortunately, he said that the prison was lacking facilities. Authorities were told to maintain cleanliness and repair the barracks housing both the undertrials and convicts. All six barracks of the prison were in a dilapidated state and required urgent repair.
He said besides appointing a permanent doctor, prison authorities should also appoint psychiatrists to visit the prison at least once in three days to provide counselling and check-ups to prison inmates suffering from psychiatric problems.
On inmates’ complaints of harassment by prison staff, Mr. Hungund said strict instructions were given to jail officials to maintain discipline and not harass inmates for any reason.
