RIGHTS OF PRISONERS DURING COVID-19 - A STUDY

CRIMINOLOGY

Covid-19 was a great challenge for the entire world. Millions of people were affected by the Covid-19 pandemic either financially or medically. Everywhere there was a risk on each individual of getting infected. There were establishments of covid centers at many detention centers in the states and such centres also needed medical professionals to take care of the patients or inmates. It was also suggested to have a daily screening of the prisoners and periodic health checks. Prisoners were made aware of the infection, its implications and its impacts. Safety measures and the guidelines by the government were well explained. Various posters and videos were displayed and also awareness programs were conducted. Such measures were taken by the states to protect the prisoners from this virus. However, due to the unavailability of the facilities, it was not worth up to the expectations. It is very important to have permanent medical services to prevent such a tragedy in the future. In this pandemic, there was a need for more security and protection against the violation of human rights. Suspension of the inspection team led to more malpractice in the prison. No one was there to monitor the mechanism of the prisoners in the detention centres. “The spread of COVID-19 is largely aggravated by structural and systemic issues in the prison including hygiene, cleanliness, social distancing and exposure to common surfaces,” the letter states. It further adds that just because women are lodged in some prisons, it doesn’t mean that special considerations are made to accommodate them. However, it was even more difficult situation for the prisoners in the detention centers or the prisons. Life of the prisoners was equally at stake as the person outside the prison or maybe more. Some way or the other the prisoners were neglected during the Covid-19 pandemic.

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