Monday’s Tihar jail suicide incident has prompted authorities of Shaheed Jubba Sahani Central Jail and Special Central Jail to tighten vigil on their inmates.

Shaheed Jubba Sahani Central Jail superintendent Rupak Kumar said: “In the wake of the Tihar jail incident, security arrangements have been beefed up inside the prison and especially the wards. We have intensified night patrolling to watch activities inside the wards. Every warden has been instructed to keep vigil on inmates with mental problems.”

Sources said the two jails have 58 mentally challenged prisoners, while more than 200 suffer from depression and hypertension. Except routine check-up, such inmates do not get specialised treatment.

Special Central Jail (camp jail) superintendent Jitendar Kumar said: “Mentally challenged inmates have been shifted to the jail hospital on the campus. Expert doctors are requested to visit such patients from time to time.”

On February 18, 2013, Dharmendra Yadav, an undertrial at Shaheed Jubba Sahani Central Jail disappeared from the jail. A missing FIR was lodged. But next night, a sentry spotted Yadav climbing down the branch of a big tree adjoining the jail hospital. The jail superintendent told the media that some co-prisoners had told Yadav, charged with petty theft, that he would be hanged on February 19 like Afzal Guru. “Yadav, who is mentally challenged, panicked and hid on the hospital roof to escape the gallows,” he said.

Special Central Jail with a capacity of 3,288 prisoners, has 1,030 inmates, including Maoists and notorious criminals. There are 36 mentally challenged prisoners. Of four sanctioned doctors’ posts, two are vacant. There is no expert to look after the mentally challenged. Shaheed Jubba Sahani Central jail, with a capacity of 1,962 inmates, has 971 prisoners of whom 22 are mentally challenged. The inmates depend on only two doctors. The special women’s ward inside this jail has 82 inmates against a capacity of 83. Doctors Pradip, Kumar Annu and Pawan look after them.