VISAKHAPATNAM: Andhra Pradesh prisons recorded an occupancy rate of 90.8 percent in 2024, significantly lower than the national average of 112.7 percent, according to the National Crime Records Bureau (NCRB) prison statistics for 2024. However, the occupancy rate in the central prisons remained higher at 124.8 percent, exceeding the national average of 118.3 percent. The central prisons housed 4,698 inmates against an authorized capacity of 3,764 inmates.
Inmate Demographics and Composition
Andhra Pradesh's prisons, including central prisons, district jails, sub jails, and others, held a total of 7,861 inmates in 2024 against an authorized capacity of 8,659. This population included 404 female inmates and six transgender individuals. Undertrials accounted for 72.6 percent (5,705) of the total inmate population, while convicts numbered 2,131, representing 27.1 percent. Among convicts, 1,050 (49.3 percent) were serving life imprisonment, and five inmates were on death row.
Sentence Distribution
The data on terms of sentences revealed that life imprisonment was the most common punishment among convicts in Andhra Pradesh. In 2024, two individuals were awarded capital punishment, and one death row inmate had their sentence commuted to life imprisonment. A total of 129 inmates were serving sentences between 10 and 13 years. Additionally, 156 convicts were serving terms between seven and nine years, and 166 were serving terms between five and six years. Among convicts, 1,922 were from Andhra Pradesh, 206 from other states, and three were foreign nationals. Among undertrials, 4,679 belonged to Andhra Pradesh, 1,024 were from other states, and two were foreign nationals.
Central Prisons Overcrowding
Andhra Pradesh's central prisons continue to face overcrowding. Of the total inmate population, over 70 percent are undertrials, reflecting the prolonged pendency of criminal cases and slow judicial processes. More than 700 posts, representing 30 percent of the sanctioned strength, remain vacant in the prison department, leading to various issues.
Central Prison Details
Andhra Pradesh has four central prisons located in Visakhapatnam (Vizag), Rajahmundry, Nellore, and Kadapa. These four facilities housed 1,828 convicts and 2,848 undertrials. The central prison in Vizag was designated to accommodate 914 inmates, including convicts and remand prisoners, with a capacity for 80 female prisoners. However, the current prisoner count stands at more than 150 percent of capacity, and most of the undertrials are held for narcotics-related offenses, particularly cannabis.
