Delhi prisons battle severe overcrowding, staff shortage

New Delhi: Delhi recorded the highest level of jail overcrowding in the country, according to the Prison Statistics 2024 report released by National Crime Records Bureau. The city's prisons housed 19,512 inmates against a sanctioned capacity of 10,026, resulting in an occupancy rate of 194.6%, followed by Meghalaya (163.5%), Jammu & Kashmir (148.3%) and Madhya Pradesh (147.1%).The data revealed that Delhi's prisons accommodated 2,232 convicts and 17,178 undertrials. Among the convicts, 461 were imprisoned for crimes against women, including 400 for rape. The count for murder stood at 792, for kidnapping and abduction at 80 and for offences such as fraud, theft, snatching and dacoity at 357. Two convicts were booked under Unlawful Activities (Prevention) Act (UAPA).Among undertrials, 1,821 were booked for crimes against women, including 1,344 for rape, 2,987 for murder, 1,956 for theft, 1,453 under Narcotic Drugs and Psychotropic Substances Act, 479 for kidnapping and abduction, and 73 under UAPA.The sanctioned strength of prison staff was 6,516, while the actual strength stood at only 2,447, leaving 4,069 posts vacant.Of all convicts, 1,567 were from Delhi, 626 from other states and 39 from other countries. Most convicts -- 818 -- had studied below Class X.Among undertrials, the majority -- 6,949 -- had studied below Class X. Of all undertrials, 12,522 were from Delhi, 3,979 from other states and 677 from other countries.The report also noted that 29 women inmates were living with their 31 children.Among foreign inmates, 39 were convicts, 677 were undertrials and eight were detenues. Among the convicts, the highest number -- 13 -- were Pakistanis, while among the undertrials, the largest group of 305 comprised Nigerians.The data also showed that 12 convicts were awarded capital punishment, while 858 were serving life imprisonment, 413 sentences of 10-13 years and 348 terms of seven-nine years.Among undertrials, the majority -- 5,755 -- remained in jail for less than three months. At least 2,398 convicts were released in 2024, of whom 1,109 were released after completing their sentence. Thirteen convicts continued to remain in prison despite completing their sentences as they were unable to pay fines imposed by the courts.For inmate welfare and education, 5,286 prisoners were enrolled in elementary education programmes, 3,055 in adult education, 2,157 in higher education and 1,366 in computer courses.In 2025, chief minister Rekha Gupta had announced a new scheme to decongest the Tihar Jail complex. Later, the jail administration wrote to Delhi govt requesting the identification and allotment of 400 acres for a new complex capable of housing between 5,000 and 8,000 inmates. The letter was sent to Delhi Development Authority and the land and building department a few days ago.Earlier this year, Delhi govt had also awarded the tender for the construction of a fourth prison in the city at Narela.