Jail sources said that at a meeting involving higher-ups, it was decided that the stock of phenyl bottles and bleaching powder packets would be cut down. Dh file photo
Prisoners at the Parappana Agrahara central prisons had problems related to hygiene recently.
They had complained of stench from jail toilets as the prison authorities decided to cut down on supplies of phenyl and bleaching powder after incidents of prisoners consuming phenyl to attempt suicide were reported.
There were two such incidents in July. Rowdy Nagaraj, who was arrested for running a currency conversion racket, attempted suicide by consuming phenyl on July 15 and was admitted to hospital. In another incident on July 29, Mahesh alias Maasthi, a prisoner from Shivamogga who was shifted to the Central Prisons, consumed phenyl and was admitted to Victoria Hospital from where he managed to escape on July 30.
Jail sources said that at a meeting involving higher-ups, it was decided that the stock of phenyl bottles and bleaching powder packets would be cut down.
Earlier, stocks were given at a stretch for one whole week. However from August 1, only a day’s stock was given for an entire week. As this continued until the month end, prisoners started complaining of stench and hygiene issues.
They argued with jail authorities that for the mistake of a few prisoners, the entire 4,000 odd prisoners had to suffer. Later, understanding the problem themselves, the authorities started distributing the stock of phenyl and bleaching powder to last a week.
Parappana Agrahara Central Jail has a total of 810 toilets for its 4,335 prisoners. There are two towers which have 16 barracks. Each barrack has seven halls with each hall having three toilets. Each hall houses around 40 to 50 prisoners.