Gurpreet Singh :- Punjab’s prison system is facing mounting pressure as inmate numbers continue to rise well beyond capacity, posing a serious administrative challenge. Against an overall capacity of around 26,000 across 25 jails in the state, the current population has swelled to nearly 34,000—about 30 per cent higher than what the facilities are designed to hold.
Officials attribute the surge largely to intensified action against drug trafficking and gangster networks. Notably, nearly 45 per cent of the inmates are booked in cases related to narcotics. Central jails in Ludhiana and Kapurthala are among the most overcrowded, each housing close to 4,000 inmates.
While the state government claims to be working on rehabilitation measures, the rising numbers have hindered effective implementation of reform programmes. Concerns over illegal activities inside prisons persist, with only two of the 25 jails currently equipped with advanced 5G-based monitoring systems to curb mobile phone usage.
Jails Minister Dr Ravjot Singh said efforts are underway to enhance prison capacity, including the construction of a new jail in Ludhiana. He added that modern equipment is being installed to check the use of mobile phones and other unlawful activities. Under the Punjab Prisons and Correctional Services Bill 2026, the government aims to transform jails into reformative institutions rather than mere detention centres.
To further strengthen security, six sniffer dogs have been sent to Madhya Pradesh for specialised training and are expected to be deployed across various prisons in the state by June or July.
