himachal-prisons-overcrowding-crisis

Shimla : Himachal Pradesh is grappling with a severe overcrowding crisis across its correctional facilities. According to data presented during the monsoon session of the State Legislative Assembly, the small hill state is currently housing 3,355 inmates in its 14 prisons, exceeding the total sanctioned capacity of 2,580 by 775 prisoners.

The alarming figures were revealed in a written response by Chief Minister Sukhvinder Singh Sukhu, who holds the home portfolio, following detailed queries raised by Congress MLA Keval Singh Pathania regarding prison infrastructure, inmate welfare, medical facilities, and administrative regulations.

While male barracks are severely congested, female accommodations present a contrasting relief. Against a sanctioned capacity of 2,370 male inmates, the state prisons currently hold 3,211 men. Conversely, female barracks remain below maximum threshold: 144 female prisoners are currently lodged against a total capacity of 210. Additionally, the data indicates 39 male preventive detainees (with zero females in this category) and a total of 2,203 undertrial prisoners across both genders.

Facility-Wise Breakdown

A closer look at individual facilities reveals significant variance, with several local jails operating at near-triple their intended limit:

Addressing healthcare concerns, the government confirmed that four sanctioned medical officer posts—stationed at Model Central Jail Nahan, Kanda Shimla, District Jail Dharamshala, and Open Jail Bilaspur—are fully occupied. The response also clarified that under existing policy, inmates serving sentences under the NDPS (Narcotic Drugs and Psychotropic Substances) Act are strictly ineligible for transfer to Open Air prisons.