Prison violence rising in India, solution on cards

The violence inside prisons between inmates is worsening in India, and the parliamentary committee investigation cited overcrowding as a major reason contributing to this worry. According to official figures at the end of 2024, there were a total of 1,333 prisons in India. They currently house 5.11 lakh prisoners. There are more under-trial prisoners than convicted prisoners. The percentage of convicted prisoners in Indian prisons decreased from 32 per cent in 2016 to 26.6 per cent in 2024. However, the number of under-trial prisoners has increased tenfold. This is due to the endless delays in cases. Moreover, most of the prisons in India were built during the British era. Although ancillary buildings have been built, the report submitted by the parliamentary committee recommended that new prisons with modern security systems are imperative and the need of the hour.

In Kerala too, the condition is similar, with no new prison starting operations in recent times. New prisons on the Western model need to be built here too. In this context, the recommendation of the committee headed by retired High Court Judge Justice C.N. Ramachandran Nair to acquire plantations and establish a new prison in Pathanamthitta sounds relevant. The committee also recommended that the Poojappura and Kannur prisons be shifted from the city. It has been suggested that plantations that are unprofitable or whose lease period has expired can be acquired for this purpose. The law that plantation land should not be used for anything other than agriculture was made long ago. This law was mainly intended to protect plantation workers. Today, many plantations remain unused, with no scope for agriculture.

In this changed era, construction can be allowed subject to norms. The committee also pointed out that the unprofitable plantations of the Plantation Corporation can be considered for building new prisons. This would also help the government avoid the haggling involved in acquiring private land. The committee has found that the number of prisoners in all the prisons is more than 20 per cent.

If the Poojappura Central Jail is shifted, about 40 acres of land will be available in the central part of the capital city.

400 acres of land is available in Nettukaltheri. A new prison can be built there. Since technology has revolutionised the construction sector, orderly work would ensure the completion of a new jail complex in record time. Central assistance can also be obtained to build a new prison. If the steps are started now, the new prisons can be completed within a maximum of 5 years. The number of staff vacancies in the prison is not being filled, which is another reason for increasing conflicts. Therefore, steps should be taken to appoint sufficient staff and wardens to end the surging violence inside prisons.