A history-sheeter named Shijo Nadar attempted to end his life in Nagpur Central Jail, according to an official. Nadar reportedly slit his wrist with a knife on Wednesday, but quick action from alert prison guards saved his life. The official noted that Nadar has a slew of serious offences to his name and is an accused in an MCOCA case. This is not the first time he attempted self-harm, as he had tried to set himself on fire in February of this year.
While the circumstances leading up to the suicide attempt are unclear, it is troubling that Nadar felt the need to harm himself while incarcerated. He will likely face additional charges for the self-inflicted injuries and may require psychological or psychiatric intervention. Nagpur Central Jail has yet to release a statement on the matter, but it is concerning that a prisoner was able to harm himself in such a severe way within its walls.
Suicide attempts are not uncommon among prisoners, particularly those facing serious or violent charges. Incarceration can be a traumatic experience, and prisoners are often at risk of depression, anxiety, and malaise. Adequate mental health services are essential to preventing such tragic outcomes, but unfortunately, many prisons are ill-equipped to handle the mental and emotional needs of their inmates. It remains to be seen if Nagpur Central Jail will take any steps to improve mental health services for its prisoners in light of this incident.
