...... 34 CIVIL LIBERTIES on 28.6.03 and forwarded to the State Government for necessary action. The ATR received after 31.3.04 is being scrutinised. 4.56 The Chairperson, accompanied by the Chief Coordinator, CJC visited the Central Jail, Ambala on 18 October, 2003. He commented upon overcrowding (77%), lack of sanitation (toilet to prisoner ratio of 1:12) and the plight of the long-stay undertrial prisoners. Some discrepancies in reporting to the Commission the incidence of death in jail were also detected. While lauding the efficient management of the jail industry, the Chairperson suggested greater transparency and openness in the mode of payment of wages to prisoners. The Chairperson reviewed the health-care facilities in detail and recommended a regular monthly visit of the psychiatrist in view of growing incidence of mental illness in jails. A pathetic case of a mentally ill prisoner, named Jai Singh s/o Atma Ram admitted to jail on 4.9.1977 and languishing in mental hospital Amritsar since 1979 was detected. After examination, the Commission decided to move the High Court of Punjab for appropriate action. The Chairperson recommended reactivation of the system of Board of Visitors which has gone defunct in the State of Haryana and pointed out the need for greater involvement of NGOs in matters relating to welfare and rehabilitation of prisoners. The Chairperson also commented on the shortage of housing facilities for the jail staff. A report on the Chairperson’s visit was considered by the full Commission and forwarded to the State Govt. The ATR received after the period covered by this report is being scrutinized. 4.57 Shri R.S. Kalha, Member and the Chief Coordinator visited the Presidency Correctional Home, Kolkata on 17.11.03 and District Correctional Home, Howrah on 18.11.03. Their report was considered by the full Commission on 27.1.04. While the Presidency Correctional Home, Kolkata is not experiencing any overcrowding, the District Correctional Home, Howrah was found overcrowded to the extent of 32.6 %. The team also commented on the utter unsuitability of its location. While the basic needs of the prisoners, such as accommodation, food and health-care are being satisfactorily met, the team made adverse observations on lack of hygiene and sanitation (open drainage and toilet to prison ratio of 1:14) and poor medical facilities for the mentally ill persons, particularly women. The Team appreciated the special attention and care being provided to the children staying with mothers through establishment of an Anganwani Centre under ICDS at the Presidency Correctional Home. Efficient functioning of the Jail industry with a good deal of transparency and openness in payment of wages earned the visitors’ praise. 4.58 The plight of the undertrial prisoners constituting 81.56% of the total population in the District Correctional Home, Howrah was found to be pathetic. The team’s report cites a number of cases and recommends regular review of the state of undertrials. The report has also highlighted the problem of the ‘released’ prisoners of Bangladeshi and Pakistani origin languishing in jails after completing their sentence and awaiting deportation to their countries and endorsed the State proposal for construction of a Transfer Facilitation Centre NATIONAL HUMAN RIGHTS COMMISSION