CAG Report Uncovers Alarming Overcrowding and Unlivable Conditions in Punjab Prisons
A recent report by the Comptroller and Auditor General (CAG) has brought to light severe and persistent issues within Punjab's prison system, highlighting overcrowding, inadequate infrastructure, and poor living conditions that compromise the dignity and rights of inmates. The findings, tabled in the Punjab Assembly, paint a grim picture of a system struggling to cope with increasing demands.
Overcrowding Worsens Despite Capacity Increases
The report details that Punjab's 26 jails increased their authorized capacity from 23,198 in 2020–21 to 25,824 in 2022–23. However, by March 2023, these facilities housed 4,145 inmates in excess of capacity, including 6,204 male and 203 female prisoners. This overcrowding has worsened over time, with only 30% of excess male inmates able to be relocated to jails with vacancies in 2023, down from full relocation potential in 2021. Female jails also reported persistent excess, ranging from 159 to 219 inmates over three years.
Why is this happening? The audit identified prolonged custody of undertrial prisoners and delays in jail construction as major contributors. Between 2020 and 2023, out of 557,412 scheduled court hearings, 148,274 (27%) were missed due to a lack of police escorts, extending trials and exacerbating congestion. The Public Accounts Committee (PAC) had flagged overcrowding as early as 2012, but the problem remains unresolved despite repeated warnings.
Infrastructure Delays and Unlivable Barracks
Infrastructure projects intended to alleviate overcrowding have been plagued by significant delays. For instance, District Jail Nabha was declared unsafe in 2016 but was only rechristened as a maximum security jail in 2021. Construction began in June 2023, yet by May 2024, only 36% of the work was complete against a September 2024 deadline, preventing relief for 462 inmates.
Audit inspections revealed shocking conditions in barracks. At District Jail Mansa, repairs flagged in 2018 were delayed for five years, forcing 162 inmates into already overcrowded barracks. As a result, 629 prisoners were crammed into space designed for 332—an overcrowding level of 90%. Similarly, at Open Air Jail Nabha, barracks with deteriorated roofs reported in 2021 remained unrepaired for over three years, exposing inmates to extreme summer heat in structures later deemed irreparable.
Sanitation and Medical Facilities in Crisis
Sanitation facilities were found grossly inadequate across Punjab's jails. Between 2021 and 2023, 71 to 75% of male barracks had insufficient toilets during the day, while 50 to 60% were inadequate at night. Female barracks showed similar trends, with 61 to 67% lacking sufficient toilets during the day and 33 to 53% at night. By March 2023, 74% of male and 63% of female barracks had inadequate toilet facilities, leading to unhygienic conditions.
The healthcare infrastructure was equally deficient. Prison hospitals are required to provide beds for at least 5% of inmates, but shortages ranged from 26 to 100% across test-checked jails. Medical staffing was alarmingly short, with only 101 out of 250 required staff in position. Critical shortages included:
- Staff nurse posts short by 84%
- Psychiatrists and dentists short by 88%
- Gynaecologists short by 100%
Between 2020 and 2023, 45,497 inmates—including 1,901 women—were referred to outside hospitals. Of these, 12,387 could not be transferred due to a lack of police escorts, depriving them of necessary treatment. Alarmingly, 22 prisoners escaped during hospital visits, highlighting security lapses.
Government Response and Future Outlook
In response to the audit findings, the Government has claimed that new facilities are under construction and assured compliance with the Punjab Prison Rules (2022). However, the persistent issues underscore the need for urgent and comprehensive reforms to address overcrowding, improve infrastructure, and enhance medical and sanitation services to uphold the dignity and rights of prisoners in Punjab.
