PANJIM: The Goa Human Rights Commission (GHRC) has recommended that the jail authorities of the Central Jail Colvale, strictly comply with the provision of Goa Prison Rules that male officers will always be accompanied by female wardens/female officers whenever they visit the female wards, and will record the visit with reasons in the report book.
Conducting an inquiry into a complaint filed by women inmates of Central Jail Colvale, the Commission said that under Rule 1445 of Goa Prisons Rules, 2021, no male shall be permitted to enter the female ward of any prison at any time, unless he has a legitimate duty to attend therein. No adult male shall enter it at all by night except in an emergency and even then along with the female warder/female officer and he shall thereafter record a clear report of his visit with the reasons for such visit, and the hour thereof, in his report book.
The two-member Commission comprising acting Chairperson Desmond D’Costa and Pramod Kamat recommended that a copy of the inquiry report be put up by the Central Jail, Colvale Superintendent on the notice Board outside the Women’s Block. It also called for comments including action taken or proposed to be taken by the Superintendent within a period of 30 days or on or before 05/04/2024, in terms of Section 18(e) of the Protection of Human Rights Act, 1993.
Copy of the inquiry report will also be forwarded to the North Goa Principal District and Sessions Court, for information and necessary action.
In a complaint dated June 14, 2023, the women inmates complained that male officials, though prohibited to visit the women’s block, were coming to the women’s block, unaccompanied by the Jail Matron and it was causing embarrassment to them.
Jailor Vithal Gawas, who appeared on behalf of the Superintendent of Central Jail, Colvale, claimed that male officers were always accompanied by woman officers.
