Silent Victims: Understanding the Correlation Between Undertrial Prisoners and Overcrowding- An Analysis of Prison Statistics Report2022

Abstract

The aim of this study is to quantify the relationship between undertrial prisoners and prison overcrowding using statistical analysis of data from the Prison Statistics Report, 2022. The data reveals a high proportion of undertrial prisoners, accounting for 75.8% of the total prison population, indicating a prevalent issue within the criminal justice system. The highest number of inmates was lodged in District Jails (52.1%, 2,26,386 prisoners) followed by Central Jails (35.0%) and Sub Jails (9.8%, 42,652 prisoners) as on 31st December 2022, shedding light on the social inequalities and discrimination embedded in the Indian society's criminal justice systems. The report highlights the challenges faced by under-Trial Prisoners in India. The paper calls for urgent prison reforms in India, including improving living conditions, ensuring access to legal aid, and expediting the trial process to prevent prolonged detention.