Himachal prisons overcrowded by 30%, Mandi jail has 3 times the sanctioned strength of inmates, House told

Government says a decision on establishing a high-security prison would be taken at an appropriate time

3 min readShimlaAug 24, 2026 09:54 PM IST

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District Jail, Mandi, has 270 inmates against a capacity of 95 while District Jail, Chamba, has 193 inmates against 147. (File)

Himachal Pradesh’s 14 prisons are operating nearly 30 per cent above their sanctioned capacity, with 3,355 inmates lodged against a combined capacity of 2,580, according to data placed in the Vidhan Sabha on Monday.

In a written reply to the question of Congress MLA Keval Singh Pathania, Deputy Chief Minister Mukesh Agnihotri informed that there are 1,113 convicts, 2,203 undertrials, and 39 civil or preventive detainees lodged in 14 jails in the state. The remaining 39 comprise detainees and prisoners in other categories. The figures underscore that nearly two-thirds of the prison population comprises inmates yet to be convicted and awaiting completion of their trials.

As per the data provided by Agnihotri during the Question Hour on the third day of the monsoon session, Model Central Jail, Nahan has 553 inmates against a capacity of 471, Model Central Jail, Kanda in Shimla houses 530 against a capacity of 438, while the District and Open Home, Dharamshala, has 552 inmates against a sanctioned capacity of 355.

The Lala Lajpat Rai District Jail and Open Home, Dharamshala, has the highest inmate population, with 552 prisoners against a sanctioned capacity of 355. The facility is operating at more than 155 per cent of capacity and houses 180 convicts, 359 undertrials and 13 detainees.

District Jail, Mandi, has 270 inmates against a capacity of 95 while District Jail, Chamba, has 193 inmates against 147. District Jail, Kinnaur, houses 237 inmates against sanctioned capacity of183.

The inmate population includes those serving life, rigorous and simple imprisonment, besides prisoners in open prisons, civil prisoners, undertrials and detainees held under preventive detention or other orders.

In its reply, the government also said that the Himachal Pradesh Prison Manual, 2021, and the standard operating procedure for open-air prisons do not permit the transfer of prisoners sentenced under the Narcotic Drugs and Psychotropic Substances (NDPS) Act to open-air prisons.
The data also highlights gaps in prison healthcare. Of the four sanctioned medical officer posts at Model Central Jail, Kanda, Model Central Jail, Nahan, and Open Air Jail, Bilaspur, all are filled. In the remaining prisons, medical officers from regional hospitals visit on a roster basis to provide primary care, while inmates requiring specialised treatment are referred to regional hospitals or medical colleges.

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It further adds that government has approved drug-testing laboratories at Nurpur in Kangra, Baddi in Solan and Una, in addition to the existing laboratory at Junga. The government further said a decision on establishing a high-security prison would be taken at an appropriate time.

Meanwhile, the government also said that as many as 84,162 cancer patients visited the state run and private Ayurvedic medical colleges and hospitals for treatment between January 2023 and August 10, 2026. In reply to a question from BJP MLA Vinod Kumar, the government said the state had 2,380 cancer patients in 2023, 2,443 in 2024 and 744 in 2025.

Replying to a question by Congress MLA Hardeep Singh Bawa, Revenue Minister Jagat Singh Negi said that the government has not issued any notification on recording ‘Hindu Gujjars’ in place of ‘Gujjar’.

Negi also informed the House that the state government was yet to receive financial assistance of Rs 1,500 crore for the flood and rain-affected people, as announced by Prime Minister Narendra Modi in September last year. “So far, not a single penny of this amount has been received,” he said, while replying to a question from Congress MLA Keval Singh Pathania.

Saurabh Parashar

Saurabh Parashar is an Assistant Editor at The Indian Express, primarily responsible for the publication’s coverage of Himachal Pradesh. He is a seasoned journalist with over 17 years of experience in print media, specializing in crime, legal affairs, and investigative reporting. Professional Background Education: He holds a Master’s degree in Mass Communication from Guru Jambheshwar University of Science & Technology (Hisar) and a Law degree from Himachal Pradesh University (HPU), Shimla. This legal background significantly informs his reporting on complex judicial and administrative matters. Career Path: Before joining The Indian Express in 2017, he spent 12 years with The Times of India. Core Beats: His primary focus is the socio-political landscape of the hill state, with a specific emphasis on the environment, forest conservation, drug menace (specifically "Chitta"), affairs related to tribal and archaeology and the unique challenges of governance in high-altitude regions. Recent Notable Articles (Late 2025) His recent reporting highlights the critical intersection of policy, law, and social safety in Himachal Pradesh: 1. "Himachal’s battle against Chitta: Why the border areas are most vulnerable" (Late 2025): An investigative look at the transit routes from Punjab and the impact on local youth. 2. "Shimla ropeway clears key hurdle as 820 trees face the axe :According to the Forest Survey of India’s 2021 assessment, 47.21 percent of Shimla’s 5,131 sq km geographical area is under forest cover (Nov 17, 2025). 3. "Himachal to handover 2.7427 ha of non-forest land for Shimla Ropeway: Given the land’s non-forest nature, RTDC and the state will not require permission from MoEFCC" (Nov 18, 2025) 4. "How the centuries-old Jodidara tradition is fading in Himachal’s Trans-Giri region: Jodidara: a form of fraternal polyandry—has long been part of Hatti tribal culture in the Trans-Giri region of Himachal Pradesh and adjoining Uttarakhand. It is believed to have evolved to prevent division of ancestral land and maintain unity among brothers in the harsh, mountainous terrain" (Aug 18, 2025) Legal & Agricultural Affairs "Kisan Sabha hails SC’s setting aside Himachal HC order to remove orchards from forest land" (Dec 18, 2025): Covering a major Supreme Court victory for farmers, where a High Court order to remove fruit-bearing apple orchards was overturned. "Himachal Cabinet nod to new tourism policy; focus on home-stays in tribal areas" (Dec 11, 2025): Detailing the legislative push to decentralize tourism and bring economic benefits to Lahaul-Spiti and Kinnaur. 3. Governance & Environment "Forest rights and development: Why Himachal is seeking more leeway from Centre" (Dec 19, 2025): Reporting on the legal hurdles faced by the state in infrastructure projects due to the Forest Conservation Act. "Cloudbursts and resilience: How Himachal’s remote villages are building back better" (Nov 2025): Following up on the long-term rehabilitation efforts after monsoon-related disasters. Crime especially cyber crimes, crypto currency etc: crypto currency: "Agents in uniform, motivational speeches, lavish parties: How a Himachal crypto con went unnoticed:A serial conman, a ‘Nelson Mandela Nobel Peace Award winner', and retired policemen got together to pull off a Rs 1,740-crore fraud" (Nov 10, 2023) Signature Beats Saurabh is recognized for his tenacious reporting on the state's drug epidemic. His deep familiarity with the topography and tribal culture of Himachal allows him to report from remote locations like Spiti, Pangi, Shillai, which are often overlooked by national media. His legal expertise makes him a primary choice for covering the Himachal Pradesh High Court on issues ranging from local body elections to environmental PILs. X (Twitter): @saurabh_prashar . ... Read More

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