Prisons See 18% Rise in Murder Accused in 2025
A total of 42,566 prisoners were admitted in 2025 against 38,079 the previous year
Hyderabad:The number of people imprisoned in Telangana for murder cases rose by 18.3 per cent year-on-year in 2025, while those booked under the Narcotic Drugs and Psychotropic Substances (NDPS) Act increased by 11.6 per cent, according to a report released by DG prisons Dr Soumya Mishra. Property offences and crimes against women also recorded moderate growth during the year.
Overall prison admissions in the state rose by 11.8 per cent in 2025 compared to 2024. A total of 42,566 prisoners were admitted in 2025 against 38,079 the previous year. Undertrial prisoners continued to form the bulk, registering a 5.21 per cent increase, while admissions of convicts rose sharply by 81 per cent. Repeat offenders nearly doubled, increasing from 1,468 in 2024 to 2,496 in 2025.
The report noted that the sharpest surge in admissions was seen in cybercrime and drunk driving cases, while the number of foreign nationals admitted to prisons declined during the year.
Prisoners in the 18-30 age group increased by 13.31 per cent, followed by those in the 31–50 age group at 11.27 per cent.
Court production of prisoners reached 1.93 lakh, of which 69.5 per cent were conducted through video conferencing. Legal aid was extended to 6,573 prisoners, resulting in the release of 3,634 inmates. Jail Adalats heard 1,558 cases and facilitated the release of 985 prisoners.
As part of healthcare initiatives, inmates were screened at the time of admission, with lifestyle diseases identified and treated where necessary. Officials facilitated 379 surgeries during the year.
Education initiatives helped nearly 23,000 prisoners attain literacy, with several inmates completing schooling and graduation programmes. About 79 per cent of prisoners received training in various trades.
Prison industries and vocational activities generated wages exceeding `1.63 crore for inmates. Thirty-two prison-run fuel outlets paid `3.8 crore as salaries to prisoners.
Reintegration measures included parole, furlough and premature release in line with Supreme Court guidelines. Telangana also emerged as the top-performing state under the Support to Poor Prisoners scheme, enabling the release of 18 inmates on bail with government assistance.
The department won the SKOCH award for rehabilitation and reintegration, while Central Prison, Cherlapalli, received a gold medal for best hygiene.
