Uttar Pradesh expands prison capacity to reduce overcrowding

The Uttar Pradesh government has implemented measures to expand prison capacity and modernize the state's correctional system to combat overcrowding. Since 2017, the total inmate capacity has increased from 58,400 to a projected 77,673 by 2026.

As a result of these infrastructure developments, the overcrowding rate has decreased from 1.77 in 2017 to 1.03 in 2026. The government has already operationalized seven new prisons in locations including Chitrakoot, Ambedkar Nagar, Sant Kabir Nagar, Etawah, Prayagraj, Shravasti, and Bareilly, adding capacity for 10,495 inmates.

Further expansion is underway, with six new district prisons planned for Kanpur Nagar, Auraiya, Shahjahanpur, Gyanpur-Bhadohi, Moradabad, and Lalitpur, which will provide space for an additional 7,732 inmates. Additionally, construction of new district jails in Amethi and Mahoba is nearing completion, with progress reported at over 98% and 93% respectively.