The situation of prison suicides in India is a growing concern. According to the National Crime Records Bureau, in 2019, there were 1,133 suicides in prisons across the country. To address this issue, the National Human Rights Commission (NHRC) has issued an advisory to the Centre and States to curb prison suicides in India.

• One of the key measures to improve the situation is to provide prisoners with adequate mental health care. This includes regular counseling sessions, access to psychiatrists and psychologists, and the provision of psychiatric medication when necessary.
• Another important step is to improve the living conditions in prisons. Overcrowding, lack of sanitation, and poor hygiene are known factors that contribute to the risk of suicide in prisons. Providing prisoners with clean and hygienic living spaces can reduce the risk of suicide.
• Prison authorities can also introduce vocational training programs that can help prisoners develop new skills and prepare themselves for their life after release. This can help boost self-esteem and confidence, which in turn may help prevent suicidal thoughts.
• The NHRC advisory calls for the strengthening of the Internal Complaints and Grievance Redressal Mechanisms in prisons. By providing a channel for prisoners to voice their complaints, the mechanism indirectly helps to alleviate their feelings of powerlessness and hopelessness, which can lead to suicidal thoughts.
• Finally, there is a need to raise awareness about mental health among prison staff. Training programs for prison staff in recognizing signs of distress can help identify suicidal inmates and provide the necessary support.

In conclusion, prison suicides in India need to be addressed with a multi-faceted approach that focuses on providing mental health care, improving living conditions, providing vocational training, strengthening internal complaints mechanisms, and raising awareness among prison staff.