In a significant move to address concerns about the frisking process for medical personnel, Tihar jail officials have been instructed to implement separate frisking areas for doctors. This directive comes after doctors working within or visiting the prison premises reported feeling uncomfortable being screened alongside inmates.
Director General S.B.K. Singh highlighted the need for a dignified and appropriate process for doctors during a recent meeting. Consequently, superintendents of Tihar, Mandoli, and Rohini jails have been tasked with establishing designated enclosures at all entry points for the separate frisking of doctors. A circular issued by the prison authorities emphasizes the importance of maintaining these enclosures with suitable cloth or material to ensure privacy and respect.
Jail staff assigned to frisking duties will also undergo sensitization training to handle the process with professionalism and respect, according to the circular. While Delhi Prison Rules mandate frisking for everyone entering or exiting jail premises, the new measures aim to improve the experience for medical professionals who often attend to patients at odd hours.
The move acknowledges the concerns of doctors that being frisked with prisoners was undignified. With hospitals and dispensaries operating round-the-clock within the Tihar jail complex and other Delhi prisons, ensuring the comfort and respect of visiting medical staff is a key priority. Tihar Jail, established in 1958, is one of India’s largest correctional facilities, encompassing multiple complexes across Delhi.