PANAJI
The Goa Human Rights Commission (GHRC) has directed the Inspector General of Prisons to file a detailed compliance report by November 10, following a representation from People’s Watch, a Madurai-based human rights organisation, which sought monitoring of Supreme Court directions mandating disability-inclusive prison reforms across India.
In its judgment on July 15, the apex court, while ruling in favour of a citizen with 80 per cent disability who faced severe custodial neglect, directed that Indian prisons be accessible and inclusive under the Rights of Persons with Disabilities Act, 2016.
The judgment also directed all State governments and prison departments to identify inmates with disabilities, ensure barrier-free facilities, provide assistive devices, maintain disaggregated data, and amend prison manuals to prohibit discrimination.
In its submission to the GHRC, People’s Watch stressed that the Supreme Court had imposed a clear monitoring duty on State Human Rights Commissions. “The Director General of Prisons shall file a comprehensive compliance report before the State Human Rights Commission within three months from the date of this judgment,” the letter quoted the ruling.
The organisation further urged the GHRC to ensure that Goa’s prison system adheres to the mandatory reforms including wheelchair-friendly infrastructure, accessible toilets, physiotherapy and psychotherapy facilities, periodic access audits, sensitisation of medical officers, and a nutritious diet tailored to prisoners’ health needs.
It also cited that all prison staff should undergo comprehensive training on the rights of persons with disabilities, comprising awareness of equality and non-discrimination principles, proper handling of disability-related challenges, use of appropriate language and behaviour, as per the UN Handbook on Prisoners with Special Needs.
