Acting upon the request of the Ministry of Home Affairs, a set of guidelines has been released by the National Institute of Mental Health and Neuro Sciences (NIMHANS), an institution of national importance. These guidelines focus on managing mental health issues among prison inmates and prison staff.
NIMHANS Guidelines: Key Points
The NIMHANS guidelines propose a Gatekeeper Model for Identification of Mental Illness. This model involves training selected inmates to recognize fellow prisoners at risk of suicide and refer them to treatment or supportive services. This initiative aims at preventing suicides triggered by mental health issues in Indian prisons where about 80% of inmates suffer from mental illness and substance use disorder.
The guidelines stress that prisoners with mental disorders must be regularly assessed for the severity of their suicidal risk and should receive regular and supervised medication. In order to meet prisoners’ mental health needs, correctional facilities need to establish connections with community-based initiatives like the District Mental Health Program.
Social Interventions: The Buddy System
The guidelines put forward a ‘buddy system’, an effective social intervention mechanism. Mentally distressed prisoners are paired with trained fellow inmates, known as ‘buddies’ or ‘listeners’. This has shown positive impact on the well-being of suicidal prisoners. Besides, periodic phone conversations with friends and family are encouraged as they can provide emotional support. An online platform, e-Mulakat, allows relatives, friends, and advocates of prisoners to book prior appointments for interviewing prisoners.
Challenges Faced by Indian Prisons
Indian prisons have long been grappling with several structural issues, including overcrowding, understaffing, underfunding, and violent clashes. According to the 2016 Prison Statistics India published by the National Crime Records Bureau (NCRB) in 2019, the under-trial prison population is alarmingly high, and the rate of unnatural deaths, including suicides, has significantly increased.
Unawareness about Section 436A of C.R.P.C.
Notably, there’s a significant gap between the number of prisoners who are eligible for release and those released as per Section 436A of the Code of Criminal Procedure (C.R.P.C). This particular section allows undertrials to be released on personal bond if they have served half of the maximum term of imprisonment they would face upon conviction.
Increased Rates of Unnatural Deaths/Suicides in Prisons
Worryingly, the NCRB reports that the number of “unnatural” deaths in prisons doubled from 115 in 2015 to 231 in 2016. Further, the rate of suicide amongst prisoners increased by 28%, from 77 suicides in 2015 to 102 in 2016. The National Human Rights Commission (NHRC) had stated in 2014 that a person is one-and-a-half times more likely to commit suicide in prison than outside, indicating critical mental health concerns within Indian prisons.
Shortage of Mental Health Professionals
India’s prisons suffer from a stark dearth of mental health professionals. In 2016, there was only one mental health professional for every 21,650 prisoners. Only six states and one Union Territory had psychologists or psychiatrists available. Lack of a welfare officer and a law officer in each jail, as stipulated by the Prison Act of 1894 and Prisoner Act of 1900, further exacerbates the situation.
Way Forward
Preventing suicide in prison or police lock-ups necessitates cooperation and coordination from various agencies. Recognizing suicidal behavior as a serious but preventable disorder is vital. Screening individuals for risk factors such as substance abuse or mental health issues, before imprisonment and providing appropriate medical aid could substantially mitigate suicide incidents. Enhancing the environment in prisons and lock-ups to help inmates adapt and cope with their problems is equally important.
