Question : SUICIDE CASES IN JAILS

(a) whether incidents of deaths, suicides and attempt to suicides have been reported in various jails of the country;

(b) if so, the number of such cases reported sepa- rately during each of the last three years and the current year,State-wise;

(c) whether the Government has conducted any inquiry in these cases;

(d) if so, the details thereof and the outcome of the inquiry along with the action taken against the negligent officials; and

(e) the steps taken by the Government to check such cases in future and improve the security of prisoners in jails in the country?

MINISTER OF STATE IN THE MINISTRY OF HOME AFFAIRS (SHRI HARIBHAI PARATHIBHAI CHAUDHARY)

(a) & (b) Yes, Madam. As per data compiled by National Crime Records Bureau (NCRB) at the end of 2011, 2012 and 2013, a State/UT wise statement showing number of natural deaths and unnatural deaths including suicide of inmates in various jails of country is enclosed at Annexure-I. A State/UT wise statement showing number of suicides in various jails of the country is enclosed at Annexure-II.

(c) to (e) “Prisons” is a State subject as per entry 4 of List II of the Seventh Schedule to the Constitution of India.Therefore, the administration and management of prisons is primarily the responsibility of the State Governments.