Mumbai: The Maharashtra State Human Rights Commission (SHRC) has emphasized the urgent need to address overcrowding in the state's central and district prisons, demanding swift measures to restore sub-jails to full operational capacity. The SHRC has summoned senior officials from the Mantralaya and prison authorities to provide an update on the current conditions of state prisons.
Pointing to the non-functionality of many sub-jails across Maharashtra, the commission highlighted the importance of reopening these facilities to reduce overcrowding in the larger prisons. The SHRC stressed that making sub-jails operational is critical to ensuring that the state's prisons remain in a "breathable" state, providing more humane living conditions for inmates.
The commission, led by Justice K.K. Tated and Sanjay Kumar, has instructed prison authorities to file an affidavit detailing the condition of sub-jails, plans for reopening them, and steps being taken to manage the growing inmate population.
On September 2, 2024, the Maharashtra State Human Rights Commission (SHRC) conducted an inspection of Thane Central Prison and raised alarms about the overcrowded conditions within the jail. The registrar of the SHRC submitted a report on September 11, 2024, highlighting that the number of inmates in the prison far exceeded its capacity. This situation, according to the report, is mirrored in many jails across Maharashtra.
The report indicated that numerous sub-jails in the state remain closed, exacerbating the problem. If reopened, these sub-jails could significantly relieve the overcrowding in central and district prisons.
A study by the Commonwealth Human Rights Initiative (CHRI), attached to the report, revealed that out of 172 sanctioned sub-jails across Maharashtra, only 114 are operational, while 58 remain closed. In regions like Vidarbha, only three of the 30 sub-jails are functional, and in Marathwada, 19 out of 55 are closed. The situation is slightly better in Pune and Mumbai, but many sub-jails still remain shut.
Inmates have also complained that they are not being produced before courts on scheduled hearing dates due to a shortage of police escorts, further complicating the situation. The SHRC’s report emphasizes the need for better management of sub-jails, stating that those overseeing them lack proper training and knowledge of prisoners' rights.
In response to these concerns, the SHRC has initiated a suo moto complaint and summoned senior officials, including the Additional Director General and Inspector General (Prisons), to conduct a fact-finding inquiry. The commission has asked the prison department to answer several questions regarding the establishment, staffing, and condition of sub-jails, as well as to outline the government's plan to reopen the non-functional facilities.
