Madras HC: Prisons and correctional homes to facilitate interaction between advocates and inmates

During the second surge of the pandemic, all contact between inmates at correctional homes and advocates had been stopped. However, on 27th May, 2021 the High Court observed that since the cases have declined significantly, the authorities must facilitate the interaction between advocates and the inmates. Relevant extracts of the order have been reproduced below-

“Since there are video conferencing facilities and, in any event, there are video calls possible by way of mobile apps, the authorities at all correctional homes should permit interaction between advocates representing the inmates and the relevant inmates upon setting down certain parameters in such regard. Since the surge has subsided in most places, immediate contact may be permitted as sought, on a rational and reasonable basis.”