MP tops overcrowding in Central jails, Delhi comes second

New Delhi, Jan 5 (PTI) Despite the Indian government
allocating Rs 1,800 crore for prison modernisation across the
country, several Central jails in many states are extremely
overcrowded with the central state of Madhya Pradesh topping
the list.

According to the latest Home Ministry data updated till
2006, Central jails in Madhya Pradesh had 17,058 inmates --
16,605 males and 453 females -- against a total capacity of
8,290 prisoners.

The next overcrowded Central jails are in the national
capital, which had a total of 11,378 prisoners against a total
capacity of 4,800 inmates. Both Madhya Pradesh and Delhi, have
eight Central jails each.

Similarly, as many as 6,056 extra prisoners were lodged
in eight Central jails in western state of Maharashtra.

The data depicts the slow pace of five-year modernisation
of prisons scheme by Union government being implemented in all
states and union territories.

The government had in 2002-03 initiated a Rs 1,800-crore
scheme for modernisation of prisons with a view to de-congest
the jails and improve the condition of prisons, prisoners and
prison personnel.

In western state of Gujarat, where there are two Central
jails, the number of inmates -- 3,874 -- is double the total
sanctioned capacity.

There are 6,070 males and 270 females kept in the jails
against the accommodating capacity of 2,387 males and 79
females, the data said.

The condition of Central jails in Northeastern states are
far better as compared to other regions.

In northeastern state of Manipur's two Central jails,
there were 398 inmates lodged against their capacity of 970
prisoners. Mizoram had 378 prisoners against a sanctioned
capacity of 545 inmates.

But the situation is grim for district jails. The
northern state of Uttar Pradesh, which has highest 50 district
jails, had more than 25,092 people than the sanctioned
strength.

While in eastern state of Bihar, there were 21,613 males
and 757 females lodged against a capacity of 9,352 males and
350 females.

In eastern state of Jharkhand there were 9,324 prisoners
kept in 19 jails against a capacity of 4,147 inmates.

According to the data, there were 15 women jails across
the states and Union Territories which have 2,830 prisoners
against the total capacity of 2,413 prisoners.

Maharashtra had 381 women prisoners, 789 in southern
state of Tamil Nadu and 175 in northern state of Uttar Pradesh
against a total capacity of 262, 513 and 90 women inmates
respectively.

Out of a total of 840 sub jails across the states, there
were 49,434 prisoners -- 47,769 males and 1,665 females --
against the total capacity of 40,881 including 37,428 males
and 3,453 females.

According to the data compiled till the end of 2006,
there were 3,73, 271 prisoners against the authorised capacity
of 2,63,911 in around 1,336 different types of jails.

The condition of Tihar jail in the national capital is
also not well. According to an official data updated till
September 30, 2008, there were 11,857 prisoners -- 11,375
males and 482 females -- against a capacity of 6,250
prisoners.

As much as 499 foreign prisoners were also lodged in the
jail during the said period, the data said. PTI