VIOLATION OF CONSTITUTIONAL RIGHTS OF PRISONERS IN ORISSA PRISONS DURING COVID-19

Abstract

Standardized healthcare and right to health are rights which the constitution of India confers upon every person residing in the country. These rights include not only the precautionary and curative health care measures but also the measures which ensure that fundamental factors of health like adequate sanitisation, nutrition and housing are also made accessible. The rights though applicable to everyone including the prisoners are constantly being violated in the prisons of Orissa. The major factors behind these violations are the under-funded, under-staffed and negligent prison administration. This ignorance of basic fundamental rights of these prisoners pose a much greater threat on the right of these prisoners due to the pandemic. Even though the Indian judiciary and the state government have taken measures to ensure the implementation of these rights but the rate at which these steps are being implemented and with the inefficiency that they are being conducted raise some serious questions and concerns on the effectiveness of these measures. In view of the various constitutional rights, legal principles and international treaties safeguarding the rights of the prisoners and the urgent need for action in the situation it is imperative that the state takes necessary actions into the matter.