Assam's Jail Overcrowding Crisis: Latest Statistics Reveal Alarming Trends
Rising Overcrowding in Assam Prisons
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GUWAHATI, May 15: The situation of overcrowding in Assam's prisons has intensified, particularly affecting district jails and male inmates more than females.
As of December 31, 2024, the overall occupancy rate in Assam's correctional facilities reached 113%, according to the latest data from the Central government. This marks an increase from the previous year's rate of 105.3% in 2023. The total inmate count across the state's 31 jails was 11,674, surpassing the available capacity of 10,330.
Assam operates 31 prisons, including six central jails, 22 district jails, one sub-jail, one open jail, and one special jail. The total capacity for male inmates was recorded at 9,559, while the actual inmate population stood at 11,199, resulting in an occupancy rate of 117.2%. In contrast, female inmates numbered 475 against a capacity of 761, leading to a lower occupancy rate of 62.4%. Notably, there were no transgender inmates in the state's jails, despite a capacity of 10.
In the six central jails, the inmate population was 4,402, close to the total capacity of 4,500, yielding an occupancy rate of 97.8%. However, the overcrowding issue was more pronounced in the 22 district jails, which housed 6,796 inmates against a capacity of 5,220, resulting in a staggering occupancy rate of 130.2%.
Additionally, the only special jail in Assam had 395 inmates with a capacity of 442, leading to an occupancy rate of 89.4%. The solitary sub-jail reported 63 inmates against a capacity of 68, translating to a 92.6% occupancy rate. The open jail, however, had only 18 inmates out of a possible 100, reflecting a mere 18% occupancy.
On a national scale, the overall jail occupancy rate in India was 112.7% at the end of 2024, although this figure may not be entirely accurate due to missing data from West Bengal. The previous year, the national occupancy rate was recorded at 120.8%.
In comparison with other Northeastern states, Manipur's jail occupancy was notably low at 38.8%, while Nagaland and Tripura reported rates of 40.5% and 75%, respectively. Arunachal Pradesh had an occupancy rate of 90.8%, Mizoram at 112.3%, and Meghalaya alarmingly high at 163.5%.
Furthermore, Assam's jails housed 77 foreign inmates as of December 31, 2024. Among these, 25 were convicted, all from Bangladesh, while the undertrial population included 36 from Bangladesh, 12 from Myanmar, and others from Nigeria and various other countries.