In a significant move to assess living conditions and administrative protocols, a senior member of the Punjab State Human Rights Commission (PSHRC) conducted an exhaustive inspection of the Ludhiana Central Jail. The visit, carried out on Thursday, aimed to evaluate the facilities provided to both inmates and undertrial prisoners, with a focus on hygiene, healthcare, and safety standards.
Comprehensive Check of Amenities and Food Services
PSHRC member Jitender Singh Shunty undertook a detailed review of the jail's infrastructure. His inspection covered a wide range of areas critical to inmate welfare. He personally examined the barracks, sanitation facilities, toilets, and the kitchen. Emphasizing the importance of hygiene, Shunty paid special attention to the food services. He not only assessed the cleanliness of the kitchen but also tasted the food prepared for the prisoners to gauge its quality firsthand. During his tour, he interacted with inmates to hear their perspectives directly.
Focus on Healthcare and Disaster Preparedness
A major part of the inspection was dedicated to medical services. Shunty visited the jail hospital to gather detailed information on the healthcare provisions. He reviewed specialized treatments including the Opioid Assisted Treatment (OOAT) clinic, Antiretroviral Therapy (ART) for HIV-positive inmates, tuberculosis treatment, and various counselling programs. Furthermore, considering the jail's location in an industrial zone, Shunty highlighted a crucial safety aspect. He stressed the need for jail authorities to identify chemicals used in nearby industries and to have emergency response plans, including ready availability of antidotes, as part of a robust disaster preparedness strategy.
Vocational Training and Administrative Review
The PSHRC member also toured the vocational training sections within the prison premises. He inspected workshops for bakery, carpentry, welding, powerloom, knitting, woodwork, and tailoring. Officials informed him about the various Industrial Training Institute (ITI) courses offered to inmates for skill development, which are vital for their rehabilitation. Shunty also checked the CCTV control room and recreational facilities. In a concluding meeting with jail authorities, he reviewed administrative procedures. He issued directives to streamline processes, particularly ensuring that protocols for family meetings for undertrials and convicts are followed smoothly. He also made inquiries about the overall health and well-being of the inmate population.
The inspection by the human rights commission member underscores the ongoing efforts to ensure that correctional facilities in Punjab adhere to prescribed standards of human dignity, health, and safety, while also focusing on inmate rehabilitation through skill development.
