COVID-19: NCW asks states to decongest jails for women inmates, improve healthcare facilities

Warning that the COVID-19 situation may get worse for women prisoners, National Commission for Women on Wednesday asked jail officials across the country to decongest women prisons by releasing even undertrials facing grievous charges on bail, augment medical facilities and arrange online meetings with family.

New Delhi:Amid COVID-19 outbreak National Commission for Women ( NCW) asked jail officials to decongest overcrowded women wards.

In an advisory issued by NCW to all states’ Director Generals and IG of prisons NCW focused on “ special attention” to women wards. It made recommendations including improvement in healthcare facilities and maintaining social distance.

COVID-19: NCW asks states to decongest jails for women inmates, improve healthcare facilities

As the number of undertrial women prisoners is significantly high, one way to decongest women ward is to ensure prompt legal action to get them released on bail. The State legal services authority or District legal services authority can help in filing bail application.

As per 2018 figures, India has 19,242 female inmates and India has 20 jails exclusively for women. Maharashtra has 5 women’s jails, Kerala and Tamil Nadu has 3 each.

NCW is of the view that even cases of undertrials who are facing charges that could lead to life imprisonment or death penalty need to be processed under Criminal Procedure Code (CrPC), which provides for concession to women and children below 16 years in the matter of bail.

Services of senior lawyers should be obtained specifically for this, irrespective of whether the undertrials sought any legal aid. Action for release of convicted prisons on parole should also be considered favourably, says advisory.

The healthcare services in the prisons, particularly during the lockdown period, should be augmented, with provisions for medical check-up and arranging services of specialists like psychologists, psychiatrists, gynecologists, on visit basis in the prison itself, the NCW said.

"Prison authorities should also arrange and encourage video conferencing of prisoners with their family members as it is essential for their psychological and mental well-being and strength of their family members," it said.

The commission also requested that during this tough time, prison authorities should adopt a therapeutic approach and treat the women inmates with compassion.

NCW asked jail authorities to provide women inmates beds with enough moving space in between the beds or in cases where raised platforms are provided in close vicinity, occupancy should be arranged in a manner that the norm of social distancing is maintained.

The NCW sought immediate action to maintain cleanliness and providing enough stock of clean bed sheets, pillow covers, soaps, sanitary napkins, detergents, masks, gloves and sanitizers. Inmates should be encouraged to wash hands and avoid touching face.

Indian jails are overcrowded and on March 23, Supreme court ordered all states to consider releasing some inmates on parole to reduce overcrowding amid Coronavirus outbreak.

Uttar Pradesh and Maharashtra had announced release of 11,000 prisoners each while Punjab announced to release 6000 prisoners. Delhi and West Bengal have also announced to release 3000 prisoners each.

PTI Report