Delhi's prison occupancy rate highest in country at 200 per cent

At 200.2 per cent, Delhi topped in the occupancy rate of jails across the country due to more number of undertrial prisoners, according to the Prison Statistics India report by the National Crime Records Bureau (NCRB).

The report underlined that out of these prisoners, only 10.7 per cent have been convicted, while 88.8 per cent of them are undertrials.

According to the report, there are 16 jails in Delhi. Out of this, 14 are Central jails and two women-only jails.

These jails have a capacity of 10,026 inmates - 9,346 male and 680 females, but hold 20,077 prisoners - 19,357 males, 713 females and seven transgender, the report mentioned.

In terms of women-only jails of the city, a total of 69 prisoners are convicts, while 644 females and two transgender are undertrials.

Overcrowding refers to the situation where more inmates are staying than the sanctioned strength. In recent years, it is one of the biggest problems faced by prison inmates.

Overcrowding results in poor hygiene, lack of sleep, etc. Keeping in view the human rights of the prisoners, it is essential that they are given reasonable space and facilities in jails.