Prison authorities in Hyderabad disclosed concerning trends during their annual press conference on Monday. The number of repeat offenders entering judicial remand soared to 2,496 in 2025. This marks a significant increase from the 1,468 recorded in the previous year.
Overall Admissions and Specific Crime Categories Rise
Total prisoner admissions across all categories climbed by 11% in 2025. Officials reported 38,079 admissions in 2024, with the new figures showing a clear upward trajectory.
Admissions related to several serious crimes also witnessed sharp increases. The data shows more individuals were admitted for violations under the POCSO Act, the NDPS Act, murder, and crimes against women. Cybercrime cases showed a particularly dramatic spike.
Cybercrime Admissions More Than Double
The prison system admitted 757 individuals accused of cybercrime in 2024. That number skyrocketed to 1,784 in 2025. This represents a staggering 135% increase within a single year.
Focus on Rehabilitation and Welfare Programs
Officials emphasized their ongoing efforts to rehabilitate convicts through skill development. In 2025, the department provided training to 4,615 convicted prisoners in various industrial, agricultural, and allied fields.
Welding and tailoring emerged as the most popular trades. A total of 850 inmates received welding training, while 564 learned tailoring skills. Director General (Prisons) Soumya Mishra stated that these 4,615 trained individuals represented 79% of all convicts admitted that year.
Combating Substance Abuse and Promoting Literacy
The department launched a new de-addiction centre called NIVRUTTI. This facility aims to screen inmates for substance abuse issues. During the year, 2,915 inmates underwent initial screening after showing symptoms.
Out of this group, 590 prisoners received a more detailed WHO-ASSIST screening and assessment. These individuals subsequently received therapy and treatment at the centre.
Under the "Thumb In – Sign Out" literacy campaign, the department made 23,220 prisoners literate. Educational opportunities expanded further, with 108 inmates enrolling with the National Institute of Open Schooling (NIOS) to appear for their class X examinations.
These study centres operate within Cherlapalli Prison in collaboration with Dr BR Ambedkar Open University. The group includes eight women inmates. Additionally, 28 inmates successfully completed their graduation in 2025.
