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Kerala High Court Criticizes Prison Like Conditions Demanding Immediate
The has issued a stern directive to the state government following a surprise inspection of the (MHC) in Thiruvananthapuram. A comprising Justice Devan Ramachandran and Justice Basant Balaji described the state of the facility as "painful," noting that patients were confined to locked cells in an environment more reflective of a prison than a place of healing.
A Deeply Concerned Bench
The inspection, held on , revealed a facility struggling under severe administrative neglect. While acknowledging that the center had been cleaned prior to their arrival, the judges were deeply troubled by the systemic failures observed. Central to the Court’s concern is the acute shortage of support staff; against 158 for attenders, only 127 are currently filled. These workers act as the backbone of the institution, balancing patient care, facility maintenance, and even cooking tasks for which they lack formal training.
The "Prison-Like" Reality
The Court highlighted that despite the large campus, patients are largely restricted to closed, often locked, rooms.
"During the time that they are so confined, what they experience is a sense of being in prison, rather than in the freedom of openness and choice,"
the Bench remarked. In contrast to modern psychiatric standards, which emphasize socialization, movement, and interaction with nature, the MHC remains tethered to outdated protocols that prioritize containment over rehabilitation.
Adding to the degradation are the safety hazards found within the premises. -certified "unusable" buildings, overhanging tree branches threatening patient wards, and unpaved, dangerous internal roads present constant risks to the inmates.
Key Observations
The High Court’s order emphasized the spirit of the , insisting that patients be treated with dignity:
"The protocols of treatment have to now give way to new thoughts and intents."
"It is well documented that what would be most salutary would be to give them a milieu in which they can express themselves and find solace through interactions, friendships, distractions, and avocations."
"In a facility like the , Thiruvananthapuram – where there is enough space in terms of open land for patients to be given access to nature... much can be done, if the Government and stakeholders think out of the box."
Directives for Change
The Court has launched a phased intervention, demanding accountability through several immediate directives:
- Staffing & Security: The government must fill all vacant attender posts immediately and explain the complete absence of specialized security personnel and essential support staff like cooks and dhobis.
- Infrastructure Audit: An must be filed detailing the status of under-construction wards and the timeline for mandatory road repairs and building restoration.
- Rehabilitation: The Court requested a clear mechanism for the reintegration of those classified as "fit to be discharged" who remain trapped in the facility due to a lack of familial or societal support.
The matter is set for further review on . By prioritizing these "baby steps," the Court serves as a moral catalyst, urging the State to recognize mental health patients not merely as cases, but as sons, daughters, fathers, and mothers deserving of a dignified, therapeutic, and humane existence.
