Madhya Pradesh jails still dangerously overcrowded despite inmate drop
Prisons in Madhya Pradesh are holding fewer inmates than two years ago, but overcrowding remains a serious issue. As of December 31, 2025, the state’s jails housed 43,211 prisoners—down from 45,543 in 2023. Despite the drop, the number still exceeds the official capacity by nearly 12,000 inmates. The state’s prison system has a total sanctioned capacity of 30,984. Yet, by the end of 2025, the inmate population stood at 43,211, meaning facilities were operating at 139.46% of their intended limit. This marks an improvement from 2023, when overcrowding reached 152.45%.
Central jails are the most strained, with 11 facilities built for 15,176 inmates now holding 23,349. District jails, designed for 10,169 prisoners, currently detain 13,742. Even sub-jails, which should accommodate 5,501, are packed with 6,002 inmates. Only open jails, with a capacity of 138, are underused, housing just 118 prisoners.
The reduction in numbers—2,332 fewer inmates since 2023—has been linked to a legal change. A provision in the Code of Criminal Procedure now allows bail to be granted at the police station level for offences punishable by up to seven years in prison. This shift has helped ease some of the pressure on the system. While the inmate count has fallen, Madhya Pradesh’s prisons still face severe overcrowding. The latest figures show a decrease in excess capacity from 52.45% in 2023 to 39.46% in 2025. The bail reform has played a key role in reducing numbers, but the system continues to operate well beyond its intended limits.
