○ ○ ○ ● ○ ○ ○ ○ ○ ○ ○ ○ ○ ○ ○ ○ ○ ○ ○ ○ ○ ○ ○ ○ ○ ○ ○ ○ ○ ○ ○ ○ ○ ○ ○ ○ ○ ○ ○ ○ ○ ○ ○ ○ ○ ○ ○ ○ ○ ○ ○ ○ Civil Liberties ○ ○ ○ ○ Vocational training facilities and works programme at the Women Jail are utterly inadequate. ● There is need for greater involvement of NGOs in education, recreation and welfare of prisoners. ● ● ● ○ ○ ○ ○ ○ ○ The system of free legal aid to the poor prisoners needs a thorough scrutiny and evaluation as a number of prisoners were found deprived of the basic right. ● ● ○ Poor living conditions for women prisoners, with hardly any medical facilities is also a matter of concern. High mortality rate of prisoners in jails is also a cause for concern. A number of instances of non-compliance with the Commission’s instructions regarding the death of prisoners were detected. The arrangement of supply of food through private contractors at the judicial lockups calls for a review. G] ‘Action Taken Reports’ relating to Prisons Received from States 3.55 During the period under review, ‘Action Taken Reports’ were received from the State Governments concerned on the Commission’s directions in respect of the District Jail, Meerut (UP) visited on 18 March, 2002, Central Jail, Buxar (Bihar) visited on 13 January, 2003, Model Jail Beur, Bihar visited on 1st February 2003, Central Jail Yervada, Maharashtra visited on 12.6.03, Presidency Correctional Home, Kolkata and District Correctional Home, Howrah (West Bengal) visited on 17-18 September 2003, Model Central Jail Kandla, Sub Jail Shimla, Sub Jail Bilaspur and Open Jail Bilaspur (Himachal Pradesh) visited on 21-24 September 2003, Central Jail Ambala (Haryana) visited on 17-18 October 2003, Central Jail Jaipur, Women Jail Jaipur, District Jail Tonk, Open Jail Sanganer and Sub Jail Mallapura, (Rajasthan) visited from 16-18 February, 2004; references to which can be seen in previous reports. 3.56 The ATRs were duly considered by the Commission after scrutiny by the Custodial Justice Cell. The level of compliance with the Commission’s directions was found to be, by and large, satisfactory. Only in respect of Himachal Pradesh, the J.S. (Home) and the Additional DG Prisons had to be called for discussion on some unattended matters and directed to send a revised ATR. The Commission has noticed with satisfaction that the State Governments have initiated action on the Commission’s major recommendations. Prison infrastructure is being steadily upgraded at most places. Welfare of prisoners is now receiving greater attention. Problems of under-trial prisoners are being addressed with seriousness and efforts are being made to involve NGOs in activities meant for prisoners’ welfare. National Human Rights Commission Annual Report - 2004-2005 AR-Chapter-1-19-10-6-06.p65 41 21 7/17/06, 6:29 PM