Archive · 24 Aug 2026
Himachal Prisons 30% Over Capacity, Mandi Jail Most Crowded
Himachal Pradesh’s jails have more people than they were built to hold.
Across 14 prisons, there are 3,355 inmates but space for only 2,580.
This means the prisons are about 30 percent overcrowded.
Mandi jail is especially crowded, with 270 inmates in a facility meant for 95.
Chamba jail also has more inmates than its approved capacity.
Most inmates have not yet been convicted and are waiting for their trials.
The state has 1,113 convicted prisoners and 2,203 people awaiting trial.
The figures were given to the state Assembly during its monsoon session.
The information was provided by Deputy Chief Minister Mukesh Agnihotri.
Himachal Pradesh’s 14 prisons hold 3,355 inmates against a combined capacity of 2,580.
District Jail, Mandi, has 270 inmates despite a sanctioned capacity of 95.
District Jail, Chamba, houses 193 inmates against capacity for 147.
The prison population includes 1,113 convicts, 2,203 undertrials, and 39 civil or preventive detainees.
Other overcrowded facilities include jails in Nahan, Kanda, and Dharamshala.
- Who
- Himachal Pradesh’s prison authorities, inmates, Deputy Chief Minister Mukesh Agnihotri, and MLA Keval Singh Pathania.
- What
- Fourteen state prisons are operating nearly 30 percent above their combined sanctioned capacity.
- When
- The figures were presented on Monday during the third day of the monsoon session.
- Where
- Across 14 prisons in Himachal Pradesh, including facilities in Mandi, Chamba, Nahan, Kanda, and Dharamshala.
- Why
- The prisons hold substantially more inmates than their approved capacity, with 2,203 people awaiting trial.
- Prisons covered
- 14 prisons in Himachal Pradesh
- Total inmates
- 3,355
- Combined capacity
- 2,580
- Overall overcrowding
- Nearly 30 percent above sanctioned capacity
- Mandi jail
- 270 inmates against capacity of 95
- Chamba jail
- 193 inmates against capacity of 147
- Undertrials
- 2,203 inmates