*Jan 16, 2011 BANGALORE*: Expressing concern about overcrowded prisons across the country, the National Legal Services Authority (NLSA) suggested various measures, including having more open jails.
Justice Altamas Kabir, Supreme Court judge and executive chairman, NLSA, made this suggestion while inaugurating the two-day regional seminar on `Mental Health and Substance Use Problems in Prisons' organized by the Karnataka State Legal Services Authority. "I've seen several jails in the country. They are overcrowded where prisoners have to sleep in shifts. Walls means mental blockade. You have to keep prisoners occupied so that they don't feel this blockade. The options are either increasing the number of jails, reducing the number of inmates by giving them bail or sending them to open jails as is done in some states. We need to amend the Indian Penal Code to put in place changes suggested by the V S Malimath Committee," he said. Karnataka High Court Chief Justice J S Khehar observed that the prisoner is still a human being and imprisonment increases the stress factor on an individual, resulting in his falling prey to drugs, tobacco and alcohol to cope with this stress. Prof P Satish Chandra, director and vice-chancellor, Nimhans, said there only two psychiatrists looking after prisoners in the entire country, one in Bangalore and one in Tihar Jail. http://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/city/bangalore/Open-jails-could-reduce-stress/articleshow/7294281.cms -- You received this message because you are subscribed to the Google Groups "Mental Health Advocacy (News 'N Views) India" group. To post to this group, send email to [email protected] To unsubscribe from this group, send email to [email protected] For more options, visit this group at http://groups.google.com/group/MhaNewsViewsIndia?hl=en ------------- Affiliated Groups : MENTAL HEALTH ADVOCACY INDIA [email protected] Discussions on mental health law / policy / plan monitoring / human rights etc [email protected] India-specific news and views related to mental health [email protected] Information and support to carers of people with mental health issues [email protected] Mutual support and sharing of experiential knowledge, skills and social learning amongst peers
