Goa’s prison system is facing a serious overcrowding crisis, with the India Justice Report 2025 reporting a jail occupancy rate of 102%. A major contributor to this situation is the large population of undertrial prisoners, many of whom remain incarcerated because they are unable to afford bail or pay court-imposed fines.
The report highlights that 46% of undertrial inmates in Goa have been in jail for 1 to 3 years, a significant increase from 34% in 2022. This trend raises human rights concerns and worsens the strain on correctional infrastructure.
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Support to Poor Prisoners Scheme and Its Implementation Challenges
To address this issue, the Ministry of Home Affairs (MHA) has directed Goa and all other states and union territories to implement the Support to Poor Prisoners Scheme 2023, launched in May 2023. This centrally funded initiative aims to provide financial assistance to economically disadvantaged prisoners who are unable to secure release due to lack of money.
Key features of the scheme include:
District Empowered Committees to identify eligible poor prisoners
State Oversight Committees to ensure proper monitoring and transparency
Standard Operating Procedures issued by the MHA for consistent execution
Despite its potential, the MHA has expressed dissatisfaction with the slow implementation of the scheme. Many states, including Goa, have failed to utilize the available funds due to delays in identifying eligible prisoners.
The primary objectives of the scheme are to reduce overcrowding, ensure access to justice regardless of financial status, and improve overall prison conditions. By enabling the timely release of undertrials stuck due to financial hardship, the scheme is expected to ease pressure on jails and uphold the principles of fairness and equality.
The MHA has called on Goa to intensify efforts to identify eligible prisoners, activate district and state committees, and ensure transparent reporting and utilization of funds.
“Effective implementation of the scheme can not only help mitigate the problems faced by poor prisoners, but also contribute towards reducing overcrowding in prisons.” — Ministry of Home Affairs
