This article is an attempt to understand the state of physical hygiene in Indian prisons. Its aim is to discuss the current state of physical hygiene in Indian prisons, the need for better hygiene, the various steps that have been taken and existing gaps and also cite possible corrective measures for the future. Prisons are primarily meant to reform people. Instilling a sense of hygiene and wholesomeness is a very important step in ensuring that these reformed people are also healthy citizens, as a healthy body leads to a healthy mind.

This article aims to answer the following research questions:

• What are the prevailing international standards for hygiene in prisons?

• What is the position of Indian prisons on this?

• What are the deficiencies regarding hygiene in Indian prisons and how does it affect prisoners?

• Are there standards regarding hygiene management in Indian prisons?

• How can these shortcomings be overcome?

CONSTITUENTS OF HYGIENE

In this article, I intend to touch on these aspects of hygiene:

• Personal hygiene – brushing and bathing

• Kitchen hygiene: the common dining room shared by the inmates.

• cell hygiene

• Prison health centers

• toilets in prisons

MULLA COMMITTEE

The All India Prison Reforms Committee, also known as the Mulla Committee, worked on the aspect of prison reforms between 1980 and 1983. The committee had submitted a report, detailing how the existing setup of jails could be improved. They had covered all aspects: medical, administrative, hygiene, etc.

In 2015, the MHA presented another report, in which the implementation of the aforementioned report was detailed, in which the following points were made known:

• There seems to be a lack of flushing toilets in prisons; in some states like Uttar Pradesh and Haryana, there was a 50 percent shortage of such toilets.

• There is also a heavy reliance on open bowl toilets, with Haryana, Tamil Nadu and Uttar Pradesh having a large proportion of their toilets in prisons of this shape, there is an urgent need to ditch this system and use flush toilets instead. water.

• Many states have not taken any steps to assess the state of sanitation, hygiene, cooking, and treatment of sick inmates in prisons. Furthermore, no mandate has been established for physicians, psychiatrists and psychiatric social workers. It was also found that in about nine states and union territories, no Medical Officer position has been created to investigate the medical care of detainees in jails and corrections.

• However, one major silver lining that has been found is that, in around 23 states and union territories, the medical officer position has been designated to be second only to jail superintendent. This has allowed this position to assist the jail superintendent in all major activities; especially assisting the jail superintendent in emergency situations.

CURRENT INTERNATIONAL STANDARDS

The International Committee of the Red Cross (ICRC) has developed a set of strict rules to ensure that detainees have equal access to basic services associated with maintaining hygiene and sanitation.

With respect to water, these measures have been suggested:

• Availability of water 24 hours a day

• There must be adequate water purification and portable systems available. These must also meet WHO standards.

• There should be different entry points into the water for men, women and juniors. Also, there must be multiple sources of water to avoid conflicts.

• There should be adequate water sources installed throughout the detention center, in different locations, for optimal use.

• “Underground reservoirs” or “water towers” should be available to hold water in emergencies.

Regarding the toilet system, these measures have been recommended:

• Construction of a bathroom to care for 25 detainees. There should be similar provisions for single or multiple holding cells to ensure immediate and sufficient access.

• There must be availability of one shower for every 50 detainees with permission to bathe at least 3 times per week.

• Each toilet block should be equipped with a faucet for the handwashing facility.

Cleaning and maintenance of toilets:

• This could be accomplished by forming a dedicated team of detainees specifically delegated with this task.

• They must be equipped with the necessary machinery and means, which must be kept in a concentrated storage space.

• The dedicated team should be given the proper training and mandate to manage the cleanup system.

• Should a situation arise where toilets are blocked or out of service, urgent measures must be taken to ensure that hygiene conditions do not worsen.

BPRD MODEL PRISON MANUAL

The Bureau of Police Research and Development (BPRD) suggests a number of measures to improve hygiene in Indian prisons, in its model prison manual:

• Prisons must have a urinal (commonly called a latrine), installed for 10 people. The proportion of use of said facilities during the day can be one unit for every six people.

• The latrine should be built on a higher base, where the sun’s rays are reachable, but the rainwater does not have sufficient access. Excreta must be able to pass through the receptacles.

• The latrine should be equipped with footrests next to the seats. There should be glazed ceramic tiles as far away from the floors as possible.

• There must be a bathroom cabin in the ratio of 1:10, with access depending on the prevailing weather conditions.

• There must be facilities to collect rainwater, recycle water and hold up to 135 liters of water to meet the needs of an individual.

• The kitchen must serve up to 250 inmates. These facilities should be well lit, cleaned daily, and also be away from the sleeping quarters. There should be fly-proof wire mesh and exhaust fans. There should also be smoke detectors in the room to deal with fire hazards.

• There should be no caste or religious bias in handling kitchen chores. LPG, kneading machines, chapati making machines, mixers and grinders should also be added. Utensils made of stainless steel should be preferred.

• The tiles on the kitchen walls must have a maximum height of 2 meters for cleaning purposes.

• There must be an adequate number of rooms and beds to treat men and women separately. All central and district prisons must have hospital facilities to care for at least 5% of inmates at any one time.

• The correctional facility should have adequate entrances to access fresh air and light. Impervious material should be used for the construction of prison walls and toilets. Restrooms should be built close by so inmates have access. There should be enough walking space for patients to have access to a snack.

The prison hospital should ideally be at the entrance of a jail and also consist of:

• pavilion for patients

• Toilets and bathrooms at the rate of one for every five patients

• Hospital furniture and equipment warehouse

• Cum injection room in dressing room

• room for minor surgery

• laboratory room

• Room for the Medical Officer.

• Isolation rooms for the accommodation of patients with infectious diseases (such as TB, Leprosy and HIV+/AIDS).

• Isolation rooms for the accommodation of the mentally ill.