Mandya: The absence of a dedicated jail ward at Mandya Institute of Medical Sciences (MIMS) is creating security and logistical challenges for prison authorities in treating undertrial prisoners and inmates requiring hospitalisation.Mandya district prison houses undertrials and convicts, many of whom are referred to MIMS when they need treatment beyond the medical facilities available within the prison. While minor ailments are treated inside the prison, inmates requiring inpatient care are admitted to general wards. They are escorted to the hospital by personnel from the Mandya District Armed Reserve (DAR) or prison staff.The arrangement places an additional burden on prison authorities, as security personnel have to remain with admitted inmates round the clock. Treating prisoners in general wards also creates difficulties in maintaining security and preventing contact with other patients and visitors, particularly during emergencies and prolonged hospitalisation. Prison authorities have repeatedly sought a separate jail ward at MIMS.Mandya district prison superintendent M Shanthamma told TOI, “We have submitted a requisition for a jail ward at MIMS and have repeatedly requested the facility. However, it has not yet been provided. If a separate ward is established, it will be very helpful for us and make it easier to keep track of the inmates.”She said a secure jail ward, designed on the lines of a prison barrack, is essential for treating male and female prisoner-patients separately and for accommodating accompanying security personnel.MIMS director Dr Narasimhamurthy said, “Though we have received the requisition from the jail authorities, we are unable to provide a jail ward immediately due to space constraints.”“A jail ward cannot function like a regular ward, as certain parameters and security requirements have to be followed. We will identify suitable space at the earliest and provide the much-needed jail ward,” he said.
