Accessibility in Prisons

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Indian prisons fail to ensure accessibility and dignity for persons with disabilities, despite constitutional and international obligations.

Indian prisons are plagued with violence, abuse, neglect, and overcrowding, exacerbating the plight of prisoners with disabilities. Basic needs such as accessible toilets, wheelchairs, and drinking facilities are often unavailable, leading to severe hardship. Notable cases, such as the struggles of Professor G.N. Saibaba and Father Stan Swamy, highlight these systemic failures. The lack of assistive devices and accessibility in major jails, as revealed by audits, showcases gaps in implementation despite existing guidelines.

India's legal framework, including the Rights of Persons with Disabilities Act, 2016, and international standards like the Nelson Mandela Rules, mandates dignified living conditions and special accommodations for disabled prisoners. The Ministry of Home Affairs’ guidelines and model prison manuals emphasize accessibility but remain largely unenforced.

Judicial interventions, such as Rama Murthy vs. State of Karnataka and Upendra Baxi vs. State of U.P., have upheld prisoners’ rights to dignity and humane treatment. However, these rulings have not resulted in tangible reforms due to political indifference and lack of accountability.

The neglect of prisoners with disabilities reflects broader societal apathy toward prison reforms. A stronger commitment to accessibility and dignity in prisons is essential to uphold the rule of law and human rights in line with constitutional and international mandates.