The right to the highest attainable standard of health is a prerequisite for the enjoyment of fundamental human rights. The term ‘health’ encompasses both physical and mental health. WHO defines health as a state of “complete physical, mental and social well-being and not merely the absence of disease or infirmity”. Mental health may be defined as “a state of well-being in which an individual realizes his or her abilities, can cope with the normal stresses of life, can work productively and can make a contribution to his or her community”. It is more than the mere absence of mental disorders. The discourse on the same is gaining ground, considering the number of mental health cases on a surge. However, prisoners in India have been excluded from the realm of mental health discourse.
Continue reading “Guest Post: Mental Health of Prisoners in India: A Constitutional Analysis”