Haryana Prisons: A Call for Mental Health Overhaul

The Haryana Human Rights Commission has initiated a case to address the surge in suicides and inadequate mental health support in state prisons, as highlighted in the 2024 NCRB report. The commission emphasizes the need for psychological intervention and adherence to human rights obligations to prevent custodial deaths.

The Haryana Human Rights Commission (HHRC) has opened a suo motu case addressing the alarming rise in suicides, violence, and mental health issues in state prisons. The move follows concerns raised by the NCRB's 'Prison Statistics India-2024' report, spotlighting grave human rights issues.

In a directive issued on May 13, the bench, chaired by Justice Lalit Batra, demanded explanations from state authorities on the matter. The commission stressed that prisoners retain rights to dignity, health, and mental care under Article 21 of the Constitution, regardless of their incarceration status.

HHRC highlighted the constitutional obligation to safeguard inmates from self-harm and emphasised that incidents of custodial suicides can be mitigated through psychological support and intervention. Specific attention was drawn to the need for adherence to rules within the Haryana Prison Rules, 2022, aimed at suicide prevention and enhancing mental health care in prisons.