Issues with Indian Prison System

The overcrowding and conditions of Indian prisons pose significant challenges. The average occupancy rate in Indian prisons over the past five years has been nearly 25% more than their capacity, primarily due to under trials. Insufficient expenditure on prisons, including inadequate allocation for food, clothing, and medical care, adds to the problems. The cost per prisoner per day is much lower than the amount needed to meet basic nutritional requirements. Moreover, there is a shortage of medical staff, with only 59% of the allotted provision employed in prisons. To address these challenges, suggestions have been made for major prison reforms, including releasing under trials and elderly or mentally ill convicts as respite measures, utilizing open prisons, and converting colonial-era jails into tourist attractions to generate revenue. Additionally, better financial assistance from the government and addressing deficiencies in funding for prison reforms are necessary.