Punjab’s prison system is facing a serious overcrowding crisis, with inmates now exceeding the province’s total jail capacity by around 90 percent.
The number of prisoners in Punjab has reached a record level, with 74,118 inmates currently held across 44 jails.
The combined capacity of these prisons is only 39,304 inmates.
The figures mean Punjab’s prisons are accommodating more than 34,000 additional prisoners beyond their designed capacity.
The severe overcrowding has raised concerns about living conditions and the spread of diseases among inmates.
Lahore, Rawalpindi and Faisalabad Prisons Under Pressure
The worst overcrowding has been reported in major prisons in Lahore, Rawalpindi and Faisalabad.
Both prisons in Lahore are reportedly holding more than twice the number of inmates they were originally designed to accommodate.
The Central Jail Rawalpindi has the largest prison population in the province.
It currently houses 8,329 prisoners against an official capacity of just 2,174.
The gap between available space and the number of inmates has placed enormous pressure on prison infrastructure and basic facilities.
Nearly 60,000 Prisoners Awaiting Trial
The latest figures also highlight the large number of undertrial prisoners in Punjab.
Of the 74,118 inmates currently in provincial prisons, 59,586 are awaiting trial.
Another 16,131 prisoners have been convicted and sentenced.
The prison population includes 71,520 men and 1,718 women.
There are also 704 prisoners under the age of 18.
The high number of undertrial prisoners is adding further pressure to an already overcrowded prison system.
Prison Population Rises by More Than 20,000
Sources said Punjab’s prison population has increased by more than 20,000 inmates during the past three years.
The rapid increase has further strained existing facilities and intensified concerns about overcrowding.
The pressure is particularly severe in Lahore, where authorities have been discussing the need for additional prison infrastructure.
A proposal to construct a new jail in Lahore has reportedly remained pending for the past decade.
Meanwhile, the continued increase in the number of inmates has raised concerns over whether existing prisons can adequately provide accommodation, healthcare and other essential facilities.
Sources said overcrowding is also contributing to the spread of various diseases among prisoners.
The situation has highlighted the urgent need for measures to reduce pressure on Punjab’s prisons and address the growing gap between prison capacity and the number of inmates.
