Medical OfficerCentral

Section 13 of The Prisons Act, 1894

Duties of Medical Officer.

Subject to the control of the Superintendent, the Medical Officer shall have charge of the sanitary administration of the prison, and shall perform such 1duties as may be prescribed by rules made by the State Government under section 2[59].

Summary

The Medical Officer is responsible for the sanitary administration of the prison, which means keeping the prison clean and healthy.
The Medical Officer performs these duties under the supervision and control of the prison Superintendent.
Additional duties of the Medical Officer are decided by rules that the State Government creates under Section 59 of the Act.

Practical examples

1Dr. John Carter, the prison medical officer, wants to implement a new cleaning schedule to prevent disease, but he must first get approval from the prison Superintendent, Mr. Thomas Smith, who controls prison administration.

2The State Government of West Bengal issues a new rule under Section 59 stating that prison medical officers must inspect the kitchen daily, so Dr. Carter begins conducting these daily sanitary checks.

FAQ

1. Who supervises the Medical Officer?

The prison Superintendent has overall control and supervision over the Medical Officer's work.

2. What is the main area of responsibility for the Medical Officer under this section?

The Medical Officer is in charge of the sanitary administration, which involves health, hygiene, and cleanliness of the prison.

3. How are the specific daily duties of the Medical Officer determined?

They are prescribed by rules made by the State Government under Section 59 of the Act.

4. Can the Medical Officer act completely independently of the Superintendent?

No, the Medical Officer's duties and charge of sanitary administration are strictly subject to the control of the Superintendent.

Test yourself

1.Under Section 13 of The Prisons Act, 1894, whose control is the Medical Officer subject to when managing the sanitary administration of the prison?

2.Under Section 13 of The Prisons Act, 1894, which authority has the power to make rules prescribing the duties of the Medical Officer?

3.Under Section 13 of The Prisons Act, 1894, which section of the Act contains the rule-making power under which the Medical Officer's duties are prescribed?

4.Under Section 13 of The Prisons Act, 1894, what is the primary administrative charge of the Medical Officer?

5.How does Section 59 of The Prisons Act, 1894, interact with the duties of the Medical Officer under Section 13 of the same Act?

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