Concerned with the suicides in prisons, the National Human Rights Commission (NHRC) on Friday, June 23, 2023, issued an Advisory to the Centre, States and UTs to take immediate measures to check the same.
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In an advisory issued by Justice Arun Mishra the NHRC asked the Centre, States and UTs, to mitigate suicide attempts by prisoners in judicial custody. The Commission observed that most of the unnatural deaths of prisoners occur due to suicide. Therefore, besides focusing on their mental well-being, to stop suicides, the Commission has emphasised that the barracks as well as the toilets, where most suicides take place, should be kept free of objects, which can be used for hanging, e.g., iron iods/irills, fans, hooks or similar objects. Encouraging visits by the family members of the prisoner and their telephonic communications with them is another important recommendation.
