In just seven months, 11 inmates have died in Punjab’s Faridkot Jail.
The revelations were made by Punjab Jail Minister Sarwan Singh Phillaur on Wednesday who was expressing serious concern over the unfortunate medical conditions prevailing in the jails, especially in Faridkot jail where 11 inmates died since January this year.
Phillaur maintained that while two of the convicts committed suicide, three of them were reportedly serious drug addicts who were arrested recently and died in Faridkot hospital. “Detailed reports from the forensic laboratory determining the presence of drugs in the system of the deceased in this regard were awaited,” said Phillaur. He added that the state government has already initiated magisterial or judicial inquiry over these deaths.
Taking serious view of these deaths and inadequate health facilities in the State prisons, the Minister has asked the Principal Secretary Health Vini Mahajan to “immediately ensure adequate health amenities and the attendance of medical and paramedical staff deputed in the Jails”.
Phillaur also asked the health department authorities not to shift deputed doctors and other staff without a proper replacement that too with prior intimation to the Jail authorities.
Jail Superintendents have been asked to thoroughly examine the arrested convict and prepare a complete medical file at the time of arrest. “The family of the arrested person would also be consulted in case he is suffering from some chronic ailment at the time of arrest,” he added.
Principal Secretary Health has assured the Minister that the health department would ensure the presence of adequate medical staff in the Jails through some rotational system and would also make sure the presence of adequate medical staff in the Jails with required medical equipment ensuring the proper medical care to the prisoners.
In addition, the Minister has also asked the ADGP Prisons RP Meena to monitor the presence of the medical and paramedical staff in all the 25 jails in the State on daily basis.