PANAJI
The Goa Human Rights Commission has asked Colvale Central Jail authorities to ensure that male officers do not visit female inmates unaccompanied by a female warden or officer, as there are complaints from female inmates about discomfort.
The women inmates had petitioned the Commission alleging that male officers were visiting their block in violation of Rule 1445 of Goa Prisons Rules, 2021, which prohibits males from entering female prison blocks without a female warden or female officer unless on legitimate duty.
Accordingly, the GHRC recommended that the jail authorities strictly comply with the provision “ensuring that when male officers visit the female wards, they are always accompanied by female wardens/female officers and they shall make a record of the report of the visit with reasons for such visit in the report book”.
The Commission of Acting Chairperson Desmond D’Costa and Member Pramod Kamat also sought that a copy of the inquiry report be put up on the notice board outside the women’s block. The petition, dated July 2023, will be heard next on April 4.
