The plan also focuses on providing a regular supply of sanitary napkins to female prisoner for better hygiene.
The home department is working on the possibility of roping in MBBS resident doctors under an ongoing welfare and rehabilitation of prisoners programme to help improve the health conditions of prisoners. The plan will also focus on providing regular sanitary napkins to female prisoners for better hygiene.
Besides that, the department is aiming at starting short-term certified/training programmes in giving first-aid and undertaking community health programmes to enhance the availability of emergency health services. Not just that, the courses will also help the inmates find livelihood avenues upon their release.
"We are exploring the opportunity of incorporating 'prison services' in the bond of graduating MBBS students through the Department of Medical Education and Research (DMER). We are hopeful that it will work as a major step towards the improvement of overall health services of inmates," said a senior officer from prison department.
The department has signed a memorandum of understanding (MoU) with the Tata trust, which is working on the implementation of the welfare programme. The programme will also focus on organising health awareness events in prisons in partnership with the health department and recognised NGOs and institutions. There will be a special emphasis on 'mental health' services and counselling within prisons after liasoning with relevant government departments with their consent.
As of now, this scheme will only be implemented in five central prisons of Maharashtra and be implemented within the next three years. Besides, the department also has plans of hiring consultant dieticians to ensure that prisoners get exactly "2,100" calories a day.
The dietician will also look into the qualitative aspect of the diet. The officer said the idea is to further improve the diet of the prisoners. "We are trying to make their diet better. The said quantity is scientifically calculated for an average adult," Singh said.
The department is also planning to introduce gymnasiums in prisons on a trial basis to help inmates stay fit. Sources claim that the decision was taken after there were reports of prisoners gaining too much weight. However, no survey has been conducted to confirm the reports. As of now, a prisoner is provided with two full meals in a day, besides two tea breaks.
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