(a) whether many prisons across the country are overcrowded and if so, the details thereof;
(b) the details of schemes/ programmes along with the status of implementation thereof in regard to modernisation of prisons; and
(c) the measures taken by Government to improve and expand prison infrastructure in the country?
MINISTER OF STATE IN THE MINISTRY OF HOME AFFAIRS
(SHRI HANSRAJ GANGARAM AHIR)
(a): As per data compiled by National Crime Records Bureau at the end of year 2015, a total of 419623 inmates were lodged in 1401 jails in the country against the available capacity of 366781 inmates, indicating an occupancy rate 114.4. State and UT wise details of the capacity & population of Jails is at Annex.
(b) & (c): Prisons is a State subject under Entry 4 of List II of the Seventh Schedule to the Constitution of India and administration and management of prisons is primarily the responsibility of respective State Governments. However, the Government of India has been providing support and guidance
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L.S.US.Q.NO.2682 FOR 1.8.2017
to the State Governments in efficient prison management through various advisories issued from time to time and also through the Model Prison Manual 2016 forwarded to all States and UTs in May 2016, which is intended to serve as guide for the States to draw from and adopt the best practices provided in the Manual.
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