SC Directs TN Jails to Identify Disabled Inmates

The Supreme Court on Tuesday directed Tamil Nadu jail authorities to identify prisoners with disabilities at the time of admission, saying all prisons must be equipped with disabled-friendly infrastructure.

- EXPRESS NEWS SERVICE @ New Delhi

Issuing a slew of directions, a bench of Justices J B Pardiwala and R Mahadevan said each prisoner should be given an opportunity to declare any disability and provide information about their specific needs.

"This court expresses deep concern over the plight of incarcerated individuals with disabilities, who are among the most marginalized and vulnerable groups, within the justice system. The social and structural barriers they face in society are only magnified within the prison environment," the bench said.

The order flagged absence of a specific legal or policy framework guaranteeing dignity, access and protection to disabled or trans prisoners unlike women inmates who had been afforded minimal safeguards.