Thiruvananthapuram: The excessive court docket has sought a report from the state authorities on the report revealed by the TOI on May 27 that as many as 229 inmates of Poojappura Central Jail are battling extreme psychological well being points and there’s no correct services to make sure take care of them.
The court docket expressed concern over the identical and inquired concerning the measures that may be taken to make sure therapy for them instantly.
An amicus curiae was appointed by the HC to look into the problem. The amicus curiae had submitted a report, together with a replica of the TOI report, to the court docket. The report contained the suggestions of the jail superintendent on the problem and the services that are required.
The superintendent of the federal government psychological well being hospital was additionally requested to verify the psychological situation of the inmates and to submit a report. “Through the government pleader, we informed the court that 229 inmates are suffering mental health issues and also informed the court about the need to form a proper mechanism for their treatment. At present, a psychiatrist at the government mental health centre visits the jail once a week but it is not enough. The visit must be made at least twice a week and in the meantime the government must create posts of psychiatrists inside the jail to make sure that treatment is available all the time. Stating these facts, we submitted a report before the court,” stated jail superintendent D Sathyaraj.
In 2019, the house division had handed an order to nominate a counsellor, medical psychologist and psychiatrist on the jail. But nothing has been carried out on it up to now. In 2020, the state authorities had sanctioned Rs 2 crore for establishing a psychological well being centre contained in the jail. But these orders stay simply on paper.