Question : Unnatural Deaths of Prisoners

(a) whether incidents of deaths/unnatural deaths of prisoners have been reported in the Central and other jails in the country;

(b) if so, the total number of such cases reported separately, responsible officials arrested and the action taken against them during the last three years and the current year, State-wise;

(c) whether there is shortage of staff and doctors in various jails in the country and if so, the details thereof and the reaction of the Government thereto;

(d) whether the Supreme Court has expressed concern over the pitiable conditions of prisons and the prisoners and unnatural deaths of prisoners in various jails and if so, the details thereof along with the action taken by the Government in this regard; and

(e) the other corrective steps taken by the Government in this regard?

MINISTER IN THE MINISTRY OF HOME AFFAIRS
(SHRI RAJNATH SINGH)

(a) to (e): A Statement is laid on the Table of the House.
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STATEMENT REFFERED TO IN REPLY TO THE LOK SABHA STARRED QUESTION NO.*232 FOR 02.08.2016.


(a) & (b): “Prisons” is a State subject as per entry 4 of List II of the Seventh Schedule to the Constitution of India. The administration and management of prisons is primarily the responsibility of the State Governments. As per data compiled by National Crime Records Bureau (NCRB) at the end of 2012, 2013 and 2014, a State/UT wise statement showing number of natural and unnatural deaths is enclosed at Annexure-I.

The data on number of officials arrested and action taken against them are not maintained centrally by NCRB.

(c): As per data compiled by National Crime Records Bureau (NCRB) at the end of 2014, as against the sanctioned strength of 79988 jail staff, 52666 personnel including doctors are working, the details of which are at Annexure II.
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L.S.S.Q.NO.*232 FOR 02.08.216
(d) to (e): The matter has been taken up by the Supreme Court in the Suo Moto writ petition(Civil) no 406/2013- “Inhuman Conditions prevailing in 1382 prisons”. The Government has brought out a new Model Prison Manual 2016 which has been circulated to all States/UTs with the advice for implementing it with special emphasis on standardization of prison administration and to reduce overcrowding etc. Government of India has also issued a comprehensive advisory dated 17th July 2009 on Prison Administration which also lays emphasis on ensuring proper medical facilities, correctional and welfare measures for inmates to alleviate their anxieties to prevent self harm.

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