Context:
Indian prisons are grappling with unprecedented overcrowding and a severe shortage of healthcare staff, according to the India Justice Report 2025, which focuses on gaps in staffing and medical care in correctional facilities.
- Issued by: Tata Trust in collaboration with various civil society organizations and data partners
- Edition: Fourth
Overcrowding at Crisis Levels
- National average occupancy stands at 131%, well beyond the recommended capacity.
- Inmate population is projected to rise to 6.8 lakh by 2030, while the estimated capacity will only reach 5.15 lakh.
- The overcrowding intensifies health and hygiene challenges, increases the risk of communicable disease spread, and strains existing infrastructure.
Critical Shortage of Mental Health Professionals
- There are only 25 psychologists for India’s 1,330 prisons and 5.7 lakh inmates.
- The number of prisoners with mental illnesses has more than doubled, from 4,470 in 2012 to 9,084 in 2022.
- Benchmark not met: The Model Prison Manual (2016) recommends 1 psychologist/psychiatrist per 500 inmates, but no State or Union Territory meets this standard.
- Of the 69 sanctioned posts for mental health professionals, less than 50% are filled.
- 25 States/UTs do not even provide for a psychologist or psychiatrist within their correctional staff.
Healthcare Staffing in Deep Deficit
- There is a 43% vacancy in medical officer positions across Indian prisons.
- As per the model guidelines, the ideal doctor-to-prisoner ratio is 1:300, but the national average stands at 1:775.
- The shortage of medical staff puts enormous pressure on the system and compromises timely diagnosis and treatment.
Lack of Disability Data and Systemic Oversight
- There is no national data on:
- Prisoners entering with a disability
- Prisoners acquiring disabilities during incarceration
- The lack of this data points to systemic neglect and policy oversight in the care of vulnerable inmates.
Urgent Need for Reform
The India Justice Report 2025 paints a grim picture of public health in Indian prisons, exposing urgent gaps in staffing, infrastructure, and mental health support. With the prison population set to rise, immediate reforms in staffing norms, health monitoring systems, and budget allocations are essential to uphold human rights and public health standards.
