Modern times need modern prison

The number of inmates in Indian prisons increased beyond what can be sustained. According to the National Crime Records Bureau, there are a total of 1,333 prisons in India. There is a capacity for 4.53 lakh prisoners. The current number of inmates in such prisons is 5.11 lakh. A parliamentary committee in this regard had pointed out in a report that the increase in the number of inmates is leading to various types of conflicts in prisons. The increase in the number of under-trial prisoners is exacerbating the problem of space constraints. In terms of security, old buildings also have many limitations. Most of the big prisons are extensions of those built by the British.

There is a great necessity to build new prisons or new prison buildings in existing prison complexes, with more emphasis on modern security methods and to provide facilities for close monitoring using modern technologies. The number of under-trial prisoners in Indian prisons is more than the number of convicted prisoners. Their number is likely to increase further. The number of prisoners in the prisons of the country's capital city, Delhi, is 194 per cent more than its capacity. This is according to the latest figures for the year 2024. The number of convicted prisoners in India's total prisons is decreasing. It decreased from 32 per cent in 2016 to 26.6 per cent in 2024. At the same time, the number of under-trial prisoners is showing a spike.

The lack of facilities in prisons is the main cause of unrest and conflicts. In addition, the fact that vacancies in prison staff are not filled promptly also complicates the problems. Although the central government had long ago issued a directive that all states should build new prisons, many states have yet to begin the work. Prisoners are also human beings. It is high time that India builds modern prisons like those in foreign countries in a way that provides inmates with more facilities in accordance with the changing sense of justice. The agreement to establish a new central prison in the state at a meeting of the prison department high-ups, chaired by Home Minister Ramesh Chennithala, the other day, is a very welcome move.

It is learnt that the new proposal is to find a place in Kollam or Thiruvananthapuram. If land is not available in Kollam, the jail will be built on 25 acres of land in the open jail compound in Nettukaltheri. The Home Minister made it clear in the meeting that the fair rights of the prisoners will be protected. The Minister also said that better systems will be created to sell the goods produced by the prisoners. The government is considering building a new central jail in the southern region, considering the high number of prisoners in the Poojappura and Viyyur central jails. It is expected that the government will expedite the steps to complete the construction of a new jail building, which should be a model for the nation to emulate.