Advocate K.R. Raja of Madurai had filed a petition in Madras High Court stating the challenges he faces to visit the prison as he is a differently-abled man. He had also sought better and adequate infrastructure in Central Jails like facilities to have video conferences with prisoners and special cells for women as well as borstal schools.
A division bench, on Thursday, consisting of Justice L. Victoria Gowri and R. Subramaniam sought a reply to the plea from the State authorities.
Advocate interviews with prisoners and inmates are usually done in the Jailer’s Office in most States. Women advocates often find it difficult to visit prisons due to lack of visiting areas. Moreover, when a criminal of a certain State is kept in a prison of another state, they often face a language barrier. In such cases an advocate of the criminal’s State must travel to the prison, which at most times is very difficult for them to do.
In these cases, video conferencing would be very helpful in ensuring justice to all. The petitioner has therefore asked the authorities to look into this issue and take care of it.
Written by Disha Hatikakoty, Maitreyi College, University of Delhi, Intern under Legal Vidhiya.