The number of inmates in Telangana prisons has jumped nearly 12% in 2025, the Annual Report presented by the Telangana Prisons Department on Monday stated.
Soumya Mishra, the Director General of Telangana Prisons, said that the overall inmate population increased from 38,079 in 2024 to 42,566 in 2025. A majority of these were undertrials, totalling 36,627, and the number of convicts increased from 3,229 to 5,856. The detainee population doubled significantly. Cases of cybercrimes recorded the highest percentage growth, exceeding 135%, and drunk-driving offences recorded a growth of over 150%. Other offences, including NDPS Acts, POCSO Acts, murders, property offences, and offences against women, also recorded increases. However, the number of foreign nationals in prisons declined from 107 to 74.
Repeat offenders and young inmates
Most new intakes were aged between 18 and 30 years, followed by the group of 31–50. At the same time, recidivism continued to be a challenge because the number of repeat offenders increased from 1,468 in 2024 to 2,496 in 2025.
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Digital court processes and legal aid
However, the Director General noted a significant move towards digital processes for the court appearance of prisoners. She said, “In 2025, a total of 1,93,404 court productions were recorded, with nearly 70% conducted through video conferencing, compared to about 56% in 2024. The overall physical production rate also improved, reflecting better coordination between prisons, police and courts.”
She mentioned that the legal-aid platform was strengthened with 155 panel advocates and 47 para-legal volunteers. Over the year, 44 jail adalats were conducted, hearing 1,558 cases and resulting in the release of 985 prisoners. Telangana became the first in the country to implement the Support to Poor Prisoners Scheme, with 18 inmates securing bail.
Education, skills and rehabilitation
More than 23,000 prisoners were taught to read and write as part of the state's literacy drive, 108 joined for Class X, and 28 completed college graduation. About 4,615 received training in vocations, which include welding, tailoring, bakery, printing, and beekeeping. Prison industries and agricultural units paid an amount of more than ₹1.63 crore as wages. Fuel outlets run by semi-open and released prisoners, waste-to-wealth schemes, and honey production were part of rehabilitation programs.
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Prisons in Telangana have been walking an extra mile into the threshold of digitisation. The system has spent around ₹2.5 crores to upgrade technology, which includes computers, biometric facilities, body-worn cameras, and surveillance drones. A new Swagatham portal now handles digital visitor management as part of the implementation of e-Office and biometric attendance to smooth operations. On the infrastructure front, Siddipet District Jail is almost ready, and barrack extension is in process, besides the proposed high-security jail and a national correctional training institute in Warangal.
