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Srinagar’June 9(PMI) Jails in Jammu and Kashmir have become overcrowded. As of April 30, 2025, 5,295 prisoners are housed in 15 jails across the region, which collectively have a capacity of only 3,860. According to the Jammu and Kashmir Department of Prisons, this means the inmate population exceeds the official capacity by 37.2%.
The Union Territory, administered by the central government, has two central jails—Kot Bhalwal in Jammu and the Central Jail in Srinagar—along with several district jails, a holding center, and a correctional home. Kot Bhalwal is the largest jail, with a capacity for 902 inmates, while the smallest is Sub Jail Reasi, which can accommodate only 26 inmates. Altogether, these jails span about 1,438 kanals (179.75 acres) of land.
Gender and Nationality Breakdown:
- Male prisoners dominate: 5,144 men 151 women
- 5,204 inmates are Indian nationals, while 55 are foreign nationals (51 men and 4 women)
Legal Status of Inmates:
- 4,529 are undertrial prisoners (those awaiting trial), including 4,499 Indians and 30 foreigners
- Only 169 inmates have been convicted, including 9 foreigners
- Additionally, 597 people are detained under preventive laws like the Public Safety Act (PSA), including 16 foreigners
- Undertrial inmates make up over 85% of the total prison population
Age Distribution:
- 1,942 inmates are between 26–35 years
- 1,454 inmates are aged 19–25, including 25 women
- 1,181 inmates fall in the 36–60 years bracket
- 1 inmate is under 18, and 137 inmates are above 60 years of age
Women Prisoners:
- Women constitute just 8% of the total inmate population
- Of 160 convicted Indian inmates, only 3 are women
- 138 women are undertrials (134 Indian, 4 foreign)
- 10 women are detained under preventive laws—all Indian citizens
Nature of Allegations:
- Inmates are charged with a range of crimes, mostly related to narcotics and terrorism
- Among the convicted prisoners:
- 57 for murder
- 35 for rape
- 22 under NDPS (Narcotic Drugs and Psychotropic Substances) Act
- No convicted prisoner is currently serving time for UAPA, kidnapping, theft, or gambling
Among undertrial prisoners:
- 1,208 are charged under NDPS
- 922 under UAPA (Unlawful Activities Prevention Act)
- 978 for murder, 493 for rape
- Over 800 undertrial youth (under 25) face serious charges like murder, rape, drug trafficking, and terrorism
Detentions Under PSA:
- 308 individuals are detained under Public Safety Act, including 10 women
- Of these:
- 160 are linked to narcotics cases
- 82 face militancy-related charges
- No inmate is currently detained for stone-pelting
Education Levels:
- 1,176 inmates are illiterate
- 1,564 have not completed high school
- About 750 completed 10+2 (senior secondary education)
- 301 are graduates, and 106 postgraduates (all male)
- Only 16 inmates hold professional degrees
Youths and Serious Charges:
Among the 1,454 inmates aged 19–25, many face serious charges:
- 299 under NDPS
- 326 under UAPA
- Many others are charged with murder or rape (pressmediaofindia.com)
