77 Covid-positive Arthur Rd prison inmates cannot be lodged at Mahul
The inmates of the already crowded Arthur Road prison, which has 184 Covid-19 cases, will not be quarantined at Mahul village near Chembur.
In a letter to the prison authorities, by deputy commissioner of police (local arms) Nandkumar Thakur, stated that there are no provisions to ensure the security and safety of the 77 Covid-positive prisoners who were supposed to be lodged at an empty Maharashtra Housing and Area Development Authority (Mhada) building. Thakur has also stated that the locals in Mahul have opposed the use of the building as a treatment centre for these 77 inmates.
“Inspection conducted of the empty Mhada [Maharashtra Housing and Area Development Authority] buildings at Mahul village, as suggested by you for treatment of the 77 corona-positive prisoners, reveals that provision for electricity and fans has been made only on the fourth and fifth floors of these buildings. But, no provision has been made for food, beds, grills on doors and windows for security purpose and doctors and other staff for treatment has not been made. Also, no appointment of the head of the centre, in whose custody these 77 inmates will be placed for treatment, has not been made,” stated the letter written by Nandkumar Thakur. He has further pointed out that no doctors or medical staff have been appointed to look after the health care of these inmates and that there is no provision of medicines, equipment or even potable water.
“It is extremely necessary that treatment is provided to these 77 prisoners, since they are coronapositive, immediately after they are shifted at the said place, reads the letter. But, as no basic facilities, as mentioned above, have been provided at the said place, it will result in disturbing the mental condition of the corona positive prisoners and eventually may lead to a law and order situation,” read the letter.
Despite repeated attempts, director general (prisons) SN
Pandey did not respond to repeated phone calls and text messages. According to Sanjay Kumar, additional chief secretary (home), the new Covid-positive patients will be shifted to make-shift jails and quarantine centres. However, at the time of going to press, the prison authorities were unaware of any such development.
This has raised questions on the prison’s adherence to the World Health Organization (WHO) guidelines, which state that prison authorities must ensure that inmates are not cut off from the outside world, and most importantly that they have access to information and adequate health care provision.
The prison houses around 2,700 inmates. The Covid patients were reported in three of the 16-20 barracks. “Circle number 3 and 10 have been made quarantine centres to keep positive patients. It is not possible to maintain social distancing within a barrack which was built to house 50 inmates, but now lodges 250 inmates,” said a senior prison official.