PANAJI
The Goa Human Rights Commission (GHRC) has exposed the grim conditions at Colvale Central Jail, flagging overcrowded cells, allegedly unfit food and infrastructure deficiencies. Adding to the concerns, 19 undertrials continue to languish in judicial custody despite being granted bail, prompting the Commission to take up the matter with the Principal District and Sessions Judges of North and South Goa.
In its report, the Commission of Chairperson Justice Bharat Deshpande and Members Desmond D'Costa and Pramod Kamat observed that these undertrials cannot afford the surety amount with poverty becoming a barrier to liberty.
Taking serious note of the situation, it has decided to write to the Principal District and Sessions Judges of North and South Goa, urging them to examine the cases with sympathy and compassion.
“Poverty should not become an obstacle to liberty of the undertrial prisoners who are released on bail,” the Commission said in its inspection report dated October 23, following a visit to the jail on October 13.
The report stated that the Commission found 19 undertrials continuing to remain in custody despite bail being granted by competent courts. While different reasons were cited for their continued detention, the inability to arrange surety emerged as the most significant factor.
Overcrowded cells, sewage issues
The Commission found overcrowding of some cells stating that although designed to accommodate two prisoners, the cells were housing three undertrials.
"The Commission recommends that adequate accommodation be provided to undertrial inmates, ensuring that cells are not overcrowded and that every inmate has sufficient space for sleeping, proper ventilation, sanitation and other essential facilities to maintain humane and dignified living conditions to the undertrial inmates," it added.
It also found that mosquito nets in cells across the inspected blocks were either damaged or unavailable, exposing inmates to mosquito bites and the risk of diseases such as dengue and malaria. The Commission recommended that functional nets be provided in all cells and damaged ones replaced without delay.
The sewage system, particularly near the convicted prisoners’ blocks, was found to be in poor condition. Inmates complained of a persistent foul smell throughout the day and night, while stagnant sewage and poor drainage were contributing to mosquito breeding.
Although the jail authorities submitted a compliance report stating that sewerage cleaning had been undertaken, the Commission recommended that the system be cleaned at least once a fortnight, with priority given to the affected areas.
Stale eggs, poor refrigeration
Food safety and infrastructure deficiencies were among the other concerns. The inspection report cited that prisoners complained that eggs and bananas supplied to them were more than 15 days old, with eggs frequently emitting a foul smell and allegedly being unfit for consumption. The Commission recommended regular supplies of fresh food and procurement of eggs twice a week.
The jail, which houses around 700 prisoners, had only one functioning vertical refrigerator, with another under repair. The Commission said refrigeration and cold-storage facilities were inadequate. It also recommended an exhaust fan for the kitchen and an annual maintenance contract for the water purifier in the convicted prisoners’ block.
The Commission further found substantial water wastage caused by an overflowing overhead tank with a defective float valve. It recommended immediate repairs, adequate maintenance staff, a full-time junior engineer from the Public Works Department and water-level sensors to prevent overflow.
The Inspector General of Prisons and the Public Works Department have been asked to apprise the Commission of action taken on its recommendations by December 23.
Healthcare facilities under scanner
Healthcare facilities also came under scrutiny. An undertrial, Sarika Pilarnkar, told the Commission that medicines prescribed by doctors at Asilo Hospital had not been provided even after 45 days. The Commission called upon the authorities to ensure that prescribed medicines were supplied without further delay and corrective measures taken to prevent a recurrence. The report also noted that an Institute of Psychiatry and Human Behaviour (IPHB) doctor visited the jail hospital only once a month. The Commission said more frequent visits were needed and decided to write to the institute’s dean or medical superintendent, requesting visits preferably twice a month. Vacancies among doctors and other staff at the hospital block were also flagged for examination.
