The Orissa High Court has expressed concern over the mental trauma of single or two women prisoners residing amidst a large number of male inmates in some jails across the State.
The HC bench comprising Chief Justice S. Muralidhar and Justice R.K. Pattanaik told DGP Prisons and Correctional Services to consider conditional release of such women. The Odisha government, however, proposed to shift them to the nearest jails or sub–jails where there are other women inmates.
In a letter to the HC, Maadhyam, an NGO working on rehabilitation of undertrial prisoners in Odisha in collaboration with State prison authorities, drew notice to the mental health of single woman inmates in eight sub–jails. In 11 sub–jails, there are two or fewer female prisoners.
The NGO had suggested shifting them to the nearest sub–jail which has more than one female inmate. Subsequently, The HC forwarded the letter to prison authorities and the Secretary of the Odisha State Legal Services Authority (OSLSA).
Jail authorities, however, informed the court that instructions had already been issued to the sub–jails to that effect.
Gautam Misra, amicus curiae appointed in jail reform case, suggested that the DG Prisons should even consider the conditional release of such prisoners.
Responding to a suggestion, the division bench directed the DGP to consider it and place compliance report before it on or before April 18.
The court expressed displeasure over the poor quality of food served in jails and unhygienic toilets.
The division bench said Justice S.K. Panigrahi had recently visited the Koraput sub–jail and subsequently reported on the very poor quality and simply inedible food — not fit for human consumption at all — served there and the appalling condition of the toilets.
