Panaji: Taking serious note of 19 undertrial prisoners who remain in judicial custody despite being granted bail, the Goa Human Rights Commission on Monday said it will write to the principal district and sessions judges of North and South Goa, urging them to examine the cases with sympathy and compassion.“Poverty should not become an obstacle to liberty of undertrial prisoners who are released on bail. It demands a sympathetic administrative and judicial approach to ensure that no individual remains unjustly confined simply due to lack of financial means,” the commission said after visiting Colvale Central Jail to assess living conditions, infrastructure, and welfare measures. Officials informed the panel that the primary reason for continued detention was the prisoners’ inability to arrange the surety amount.During the visit, the commission also flagged overcrowding in undertrial cells, with three inmates housed in spaces designed for two. It recommended adequate accommodation to prevent overcrowding and to ensure sufficient space for sleeping, proper ventilation, sanitation and other facilities that uphold humane and dignified living conditions.The panel was also told that an undertrial prisoner had been waiting 45 days for medication prescribed by Asilo Hospital. It recommended corrective measures to ensure inmates receive medicines on time.Commission chairperson Bharat Deshpande and members Desmond D’Costa and Pramod Kamat said a monthly visit by a doctor from the Institute of Psychiatry and Human Behaviour (IPHB) is inadequate to address prisoners’ mental health needs and recommended more frequent visits, preferably twice a month. The commission further advised govt to review vacancies for doctors and multi-tasking staff (MTS) to ensure adequate healthcare manpower at the jail hospital.
