SC Directs States, UTs to Submit Updated Prison Data by May 18

NEW DELHI, Mar 22: The Supreme Court of India has directed all states and Union territories to submit updated and comprehensive data on prisons, including capacity and overcrowding, by May 18.

A bench of Justices Vikram Nath and Sandeep Mehta also sought details on women’s prisons and facilities available for female inmates and children living with them, covering education and welfare measures.

The directions came after amicus curiae Gaurav Agrawal informed the court that existing data submitted by states and UTs pertains to 2023, making updated figures essential for effective adjudication in the suo motu case on inhuman prison conditions.

In its March 17 order, the bench said updated and contemporaneous data was indispensable given the nature of issues involved and directed authorities to file complete statistics on all prisons under their jurisdiction.

The court specified that the data must include jail-wise sanctioned capacity, total number of inmates, extent of overcrowding, steps taken to address congestion, details of women’s jails, facilities for women and accompanying children, staff strength, vacancies, and measures to fill them.

States and UTs have been asked to provide prison-wise figures as on March 1, 2026, through affidavits sworn by their home secretaries.

The court registry will share the submissions with the amicus, who will compile a comprehensive report for the court. The matter is scheduled for hearing on May 26. (Agencies)