Prison Statistics India 2021
Recently the National Crime Records Bureau (NCRB) has released the ‘Prison Statistics Report in India, 2021’.
The data released by NCRB shows that there has been an unprecedented increase in the number of under-trials. This increase is attributed to overcrowding in prisons.
The national average occupancy rate is 130.2%, an indicator of overcrowding in Indian prisons.
Overcrowded prisons adversely affect the hygiene, management and mental and physical health of prisoners.
Other key figures in the report-
- 77% of the prisoners in Indian jails are under-
- More than 80% of the under-trials are from the deprived sections of the society.
- Majority of the prisoners (6%) are in the age group of 18-30 years.
- Of the total prisoners, 5% belong to SC, ST and OBC communities.
- Uttar Pradesh has the highest number of under-trials in jails. It is followed by Bihar and Maharashtra.
- There is no separate place for transgender prisoners in Delhi jails.
Initiatives taken for undertrial prisoners
- Fast Track Courts (FTCs) have been set up to provide speedy justice in serious crimes like rape, child sexual abuse etc.
- E-Courts are operated to streamline judicial processes, reduce pendency and help litigants.
- Prison Modernization Scheme is being run to improve the condition of jails, prisoners and prison staff.
- Model prison rules have been implemented. This manual provides detailed information about the legal services available to prisoners in prisons and the free legal services available to them.
Factors responsible for the present condition of undertrials-
Delays in investigation, poverty and illiteracy, unnecessary arrests and police arbitrariness, poor legal aid and representation, loopholes in the bail system, weak implementation of laws and judicial decisions.
Source – The Hindu
