Kerala Jails Grapple with Severe Overcrowding, Central Prisons Hold Double Capacity
Human Rights Concerns Mount as Facilities Struggle to Cope with Rising Inmate Population
Jails across Kerala are facing severe overcrowding, with central prisons holding more than double their authorized capacity. The state, which has a total of 57 correctional facilities, is struggling to accommodate its growing inmate population.
Thiruvananthapuram Central Jail is the most congested, housing approximately 1,600 prisoners against an authorized capacity of just 727. Similarly, Viyyur Central Jail, approved for 553 inmates, currently holds 1,131. Kannur Central Jail, with a capacity of 948, has 1,104 prisoners. The situation is consistent across other district jails, including the one in Thannur, which has 704 inmates in a facility designed for 568.
Despite the escalating number of prisoners, the basic infrastructure remains inadequate, and there’s a significant shortage of staff to match the inmate count. While the state government has initiated steps to construct new jails, these projects have yet to materialize, leading to widespread accusations of severe human rights violations.