The Court, therefore, passed various directions to promote the mental health of prisoners, including a mandate to have a counselor or a psychiatrist in all prisons in Delhi.
The Court ordered that a Standard Operating Procedure (SOP) should be prepared, detailing how alternate therapies and facilities may be provided in prisons. The Government of Delhi will provide the infrastructure and funds for the same, the Court said.
Justice Sharma further directed that if a convict is repeatedly being punished in jail, the prison administration, in appropriate cases, should refer them to psychiatrists.
“In case a convict is found to be experiencing such mental and emotional health issues in prison, counselling or alternate therapies and meditation facilities be provided to the inmate,” Justice Sharma ordered.
She added that if a convict shows signs of mental health issues, that are reflected in the convict’s behaviour, the prison authorities should bring it to the notice of the psychiatrist posted in the prison.
Prison Administration, including medical officers, should be sensitized so that they can identify and deal with mental and emotional health issues of prison inmates, the judge further said.
Source: Barandbench
