HUMAN RIGHTS OF MENTALLY ILL PRISONERS

Human Rights of Prisoners with Mental Illness : 

Human Rights of Prisoners with Mental Illness M.K.Suja and Dr. K MuralidharanLecturer and Reader in Social Work CMS College and PSG Arts College Coimbatore, Tamil Nadu , INdia

The Supreme Court in India has asserted the inviolable nature of human rights for all by ordering the release of under trial prisoners confined to psychiatric hospitals whenever their stay exceeded the maximum period of sentence for the alleged offence. : 

The Supreme Court in India has asserted the inviolable nature of human rights for all by ordering the release of under trial prisoners confined to psychiatric hospitals whenever their stay exceeded the maximum period of sentence for the alleged offence.

The conditions of detention in most parts of the world are shockingly poor : 

The conditions of detention in most parts of the world are shockingly poor Overcrowding Corruption Violations of human rights Abuse and violence amongst inmates themselves and by authorities Lack of medical care Structural and physical deficiencies Shortage of staff.

Majority of the prisoners come from the underprivileged sections of the society : 

Majority of the prisoners come from the underprivileged sections of the society Aspects of drugs, mental illness, malnutrition, alcoholism etc which quickly aggravate in conditions of overcrowding, exposure to heat, unsatisfactory sanitation and poor quality of food. With mental pressures, tensions, frustrations depressions and stresses being unduly high during inprisonment, diseases flourish in such environments.

The World Health Organization (WHO) provides a new understanding of mental disorders : 

The World Health Organization (WHO) provides a new understanding of mental disorders Provide treatment in primary care Make psychotropic drug available at all level of health care Give care in community Educate the public Involve communities Establish national policies Develop human resources

NHRC (National Human Rights Commission) have certain recommendations that are to be followed in India : 

NHRC (National Human Rights Commission) have certain recommendations that are to be followed in India 1.Central and District jails should have facilities for preliminary treatment of mental disorder. 2. Not a single mentally ill person who is not accused with committing a crime should be kept in or sent to prison. 3. If an under-trial or a convict-undergoing sentence becomes mentally ill while in prison, the State has an affirmative responsibility provide adequate medical support. Contd…...

NHRC Contd…. : 

NHRC Contd…. 4. When a convict has been admitted to a mental hospital for psychiatric care, upon completion of the period of this prison sentence, his status in all records of the prison and hospital should be that of a free person 5. Regarding those under trials whose trial has been suspended for even a single day due to mental illness, reports should be sent to the relevant District and Session Judges as well as the Magistrate on a quarterly basis i.e. every three months. 6. The State Government must strengthen legal aid services. Preventive legal aid is required to check the abuse of the law and dumping the mentally ill in prisons

Measures to safeguard / promote the mental health of prisoners held in segregation: : 

Measures to safeguard / promote the mental health of prisoners held in segregation: Removal from segregation Management of significant cases     Increasing the level of medical support   Increased staff observations Prison Counsellors Use of dedicated Samaritan phone (online counselling) Keeping in touch with Family & friends Exercise & Relaxation Education / Hobbies

Framework to carry human rights actions for the mentally ill prisoners. : 

Framework to carry human rights actions for the mentally ill prisoners. Accountability-Governments, by agreeing to the various International Human Rights treaties and conventions, are accountable for promoting and protecting the human rights of their inhabitants. To respect ,to protect & to fulfill human rights. Advocacy-process that is aimed at mobilizing community action on an issue of concern to change attitudes, actions, policies and laws for the betterment of people affected by that issue. Approaches to Programming-Human rights-based approaches to mentally ill prisoners help realize human rights themselves as well as improve access to mental health care information, services and treatment.

Role of Social Workers in safeguarding the Human Rights of Mentally Ill Prisoners. : 

Role of Social Workers in safeguarding the Human Rights of Mentally Ill Prisoners. Involving NGO,s and CBO,s in the treatment, care and support programs Linking Government infrastructure with people in need. Emotional support to patients families Training Peer educators for giving awareness about mental disorders Making available free medical care to the mentally ill in liaisons with the Government Agencies like hospitals. Providing Human Rights training and legal support,Lobbying Support and care for the children who are left uncared or orphaned due to mental illness.

Thank you : 

Thank you