India, with its diverse population and complex legal system, has a number of prisons spread across the country. These correctional facilities are essential for maintaining law and order, as well as rehabilitating offenders. In this article, we will delve into the top 10 largest jails in India, highlighting their capacities and significance in the criminal justice system.
Jails are facilities designed for the temporary detention of individuals who are awaiting trial, sentencing, or serving short-term sentences. These institutions are a part of the broader criminal justice system and serve as a means of holding individuals accountable for alleged criminal activities. Jails differ from prisons primarily in terms of the duration of stay, the types of inmates, and the purpose of confinement.
India’s prison system comprises a total of 1,306 facilities, which are categorized into various types based on their functions. These include 145 Central Jails, 413 District Jails, 565 Sub Jails, 88 Open Jails, 44 Special Jails, 29 Women Jails, 19 Borstal Schools, and 3 Other Jails. Each of these facilities serves a specific purpose, ranging from holding individuals at the central and district levels to providing open and specialized incarceration environments, including those catering to women and juveniles. This diverse array of correctional facilities reflects the comprehensive nature of India’s approach to the management and rehabilitation of offenders.
Tihar Jail, located in Delhi, stands as the largest prison complex in South Asia since its establishment in 1957. Housing nine central prisons, it accommodates up to 5200 inmates. Functioning as a rehabilitation center, it imparts skills for prisoners’ societal reintegration, utilizing innovative approaches like music therapy through concerts. Additionally, Tihar operates an industrial center producing goods under the name “Tihar.”
Tihar Jail, located in New Delhi, which encompasses an area of 400 acres is the biggest jail of India, followed by Yerawada Central Jail, Naini Central Jail, and Puzhal Central Jail.
Here is the list of top-10 largest jails in India 2024:
| LARGEST JAILS IN INDIA | |||
| Rank | Jail | Location | Area |
| 1. | Tihar Jail | New Delhi, Delhi | 400 acres |
| 2. | Yerawada Central Jail | Pune, Maharashtra | 512 acres |
| 3. | Naini Central Jail | Allahabad, Uttar Pradesh | 237 acres |
| 4. | Puzhal Central Jail | Chennai, Tamil Nadu | 211 acres |
| 5. | Rajahmundry Central Jail | Rajahmundry, Andhra Pradesh | 196 acres |
| 6. | Vellore Central Jail | Vellore, Tamil Nadu | 153 acres |
| 7. | Patiala Central Jail | Patiala, Punjab | 110 acres |
| 8. | Alipore Central Jail | Kolkata, West Bengal | 40 acres |
| 9. | Parappana Agrahara Central Jail | Bangalore, Karnataka | 40 acres |
| 10. | Gaya Central Jail | Gaya, Bihar | 31 acres |
Location: New Delhi
Area: 400 acres
Establishment: 1957
Tihar Jail, recognized as the largest jail complex in India, is located in Delhi. Operational since 1957, it comprises nine central prisons and boasts a capacity for 5200 prisoners. Functioning as a rehabilitation center, Tihar Jail focuses on imparting skills for effective prisoner reintegration. Innovative methods, such as music therapy through concerts, contribute to the holistic approach. Additionally, the jail runs an industrial center producing various products under the name Tihar, enhancing vocational opportunities for inmates.
Location: Pune, Maharashtra
Area: 512 acres
Establishment: Over 150 years
Yerawada Central Prison, the second-largest jail in India, is a high-security facility situated in Pune, Maharashtra. Spanning 500 acres, it includes an open prison within the campus. Notably, Mahatma Gandhi was incarcerated here during the freedom struggle. Presently, it accommodates 3600 prisoners, reflecting its historical significance and robust security measures in contributing to India’s correctional system.
Location: Allahabad, Uttar Pradesh
Area: 237 acres
Naini Central Prison, the third-largest jail in India, is situated near Allahabad, Uttar Pradesh. Established during British rule, this prison encompasses a high-security area along with an open prison. With a significant capacity to house 3000 prisoners, Naini Central Prison plays a crucial role in the Indian correctional system, combining historical significance with modern security measures and rehabilitation practices.
Tihar Jail, located in New Delhi, which encompasses an area of 400 acres is the biggest jail of India.
The largest prison in the world is the Silivri Penitentiaries Campus in the northwestern suburbs of Istanbul, Turkey, according to Guinness World Records.
Yerawada Central Prison, the second-largest jail in India, is a high-security facility situated in Pune, Maharashtra.
The top-5 largest jails in India are: Tihar Jail, Yerawada Central Jail, Naini Central Jail, Puzhal Central Jail, and Rajahmundry Central Jail.
The Indian Government has formed a high-level committee under Defence Secretary Rajesh Kumar Singh to…
National Farmers’ Day, celebrated annually on December 23, is a tribute to the backbone of…
Former Supreme Court Judge of India, Justice Madan B Lokur, has been appointed as the…
Gujarat, located in western India, is famous for its rich cultural heritage, historical landmarks and…
The Indian Space Research Organisation (ISRO) and the European Space Agency (ESA) have signed a…
US President-elect Donald Trump has appointed Indian-American entrepreneur, venture capitalist, and author Sriram Krishnan as…