NHRC Intervention Leads to Establishment of Gender-Neutral Cell at Hyderabad Central Prison.
Facility created to ensure dignity and appropriate living arrangements for transgender persons and individuals with diverse gender identities; affirmative clothing also permitted.
Hyderabad:
The intervention of the National Human Rights Commission (NHRC), India, has led to the establishment of a separate Gender-Neutral Cell at Central Prison, Hyderabad, for persons with diverse gender identities and expressions. The initiative aims to safeguard their dignity, ensure appropriate living arrangements and promote an inclusive environment within the correctional institution.
The Hyderabad Central Prison authorities have informed the NHRC that the separate facility has been established in accordance with the Commission’s recommendations. In another significant step towards protecting the rights of transgender persons, prison authorities have also permitted affirmative clothing for individuals accommodated in the Gender-Neutral Cell.
The development follows a visit to Central Prison, Hyderabad, on October 8, 2026, by the NHRC’s Special Monitor, who has been entrusted with matters concerning transgender persons and the rights of the LGBTQ+ community.
During the visit, the Special Monitor emphasised the need for effective implementation of the advisories issued by the NHRC and the Ministry of Home Affairs (MHA) to ensure the welfare, dignity and protection of transgender persons in prisons.
Subsequently, the Commission sought compliance with its recommendations regarding the living conditions and facilities available to persons with diverse gender identities and expressions.
In its compliance report submitted to the NHRC, the Superintendent of Central Prison, Hyderabad, confirmed that the recommendation for establishing a separate Gender-Neutral Cell had been implemented.
The prison administration also confirmed that individuals residing in the facility would be allowed to wear affirmative clothing, recognising the importance of respecting their gender identity and personal dignity.
The establishment of the Gender-Neutral Cell marks a step towards creating more inclusive and respectful conditions for transgender persons and members of the LGBTQ+ community within the prison system.
The initiative reflects the NHRC’s efforts to strengthen the protection of human rights in correctional institutions and ensure that persons with diverse gender identities and expressions are treated with dignity, respect and sensitivity.
The Commission’s intervention also highlights the importance of implementing institutional safeguards to address the specific needs of transgender persons and ensure that their fundamental rights are protected while in custody.
