THIRUVANANTHAPURAM: Inspite of hundreds of death in jails during the past decades, the state government has done nothing about 24x7 clinics in district jails. As per jail wardens, many inmates are in poor health either due to chronic alcoholism, mental instability or cardiac ailments. Around 80 deaths were reported in jails since 2010. Last year, the Kerala Human Rights Commission had also directed the state to start hospitals in all prisons with more than 40 prisoners.
In 2012, a reform proposal put forward by the jail department suggested new hospitals to prevent frequent inmate deaths because of cardiac arrests and other ailments. However, this still remains on paper. “Round the clock clinics in 55 jails are a demand that is unlikely to be met. The Government is struggling to pay the power and other bills in prison,” said senior jail officials.
At any time, the Poojapura central jail alone has between 50 and 70 heart patients, officials said. Though ambulances are provided to several jails, they will not be on standby at all times as these vehicles are used to take groups of prisoners for periodic treatment to referral hospitals. Three central jails in Poojapura, Viyyur and Kannur have 24x7 clinics with allopathic, homeopathic and ayurvedic treatments. However, inspite of this, deaths due to cardiac arrests happen at Central jails.
