NCRB acts as a repository of information on crime and criminals to assist investigators.

Key Highlights of Report (2024)

• Number of Prisons: Increased by 0.1% (1333 prisons) at the national level.
  • The actual capacity of prisons has increased by 3.3% while number of prisoners lodged in jails has decreased by 3.5%.
• Decline in Prison Occupancy Rate: From 120.8% in 2023 to 112.7% in 2024.
• Gender-wise Prison Population: 95.8% prisoners were male, 4.14% were female, 122 were transgender persons.
  • There are only 34 women jails; 21 States/UTs have no separate Women Jails.

Way Forward/ Recommendations

• By Supreme Court: Upholding Human rights; establishing open prisons (Suhas Chakma case 2024); Establish a Data-Driven Rehabilitation Tracking System.
• Justice A.N. Mulla Committee: Setting up an All India Service called Indian Prisons & Correctional Service, reduce undertrials in jails etc.
• Justice Amitava Roy Committee: Special fast-track courts, Use of Video Conferencing etc.