A new 40-acre prison complex, including a dedicated high-security facility, is scheduled to open in Narela by November 2027 as Delhi’s prisons grapple with an inmate population exceeding twice their combined sanctioned capacity.The complex will house 1,256 inmates — 256 in a high-security prison and 1,000 in two general prisons — including high-risk prisoners shifted from Tihar, Rohini and Mandoli. In 2025, the three prison complexes, with a combined sanctioned capacity of 10,026, housed over 20,000 inmates. Of them, 88% were undertrials, 60% were aged 18–30, and theft, attempt to murder, robbery and rape were among the most common offences.Space crunch“Overcrowding is a major problem in our prisons, with the jails collectively housing nearly twice their sanctioned capacity. In some jails, the number of inmates is four or even five times the capacity. Around 88% of the inmates are undertrials, while only 12% are convicted prisoners. Even people booked for minor offences are arrested and brought to jail, and judicial delays can leave some undertrials behind bars for five to 10 years,” an official said.The prison department also faces a manpower crunch, with 2,500 personnel against 3,200 posts sanctioned in 2024; 1,676 personnel, including warders, are expected to be recruited. The Narela high-security prison has received ₹148.58 crore in funds, with 10% of construction completed.It will feature panopticon-style architecture, high perimeter walls and multi-layered security, officials said. The department is also testing targeted mobile-jamming systems to curb unauthorised phone use and reduce the need to move inmates outside prison premises.Vocational trainingThe prison administration is also focusing on rehabilitation through work and vocational training. In April, the Tihar carpentry and fabrication unit supplied 10,000 dual desks to Delhi government schools and 26,000 to MCD schools.Inmates are also being trained to repair basic appliances and equipment, including air conditioners, fans and lights. However, prisoners are currently allowed to spend a maximum of ₹12,000 a month, including purchases from prison canteens.RehabilitationThe department is also expanding semi-open and open prisons as part of its effort to gradually move eligible prisoners towards rehabilitation and reintegration.According to 2025 prison department records, 57 convicted prisoners have been upgraded to semi-open prisons. In these facilities, inmates are given greater responsibility and are also engaged in work such as assisting at e-Mulaqat counters, where families visit inmates and their documents are verified.Those who demonstrate sustained good conduct for a year are subsequently considered for open prisons. In these facilities, prisoners are permitted to leave the premises during the day and move around Delhi but must return and report in the evening.However, prison reform experts have questioned whether expanding prison capacity alone can address overcrowding.V.K. Singh, founder and president of the Prison World Organisation and former Director General of Telangana Prisons and Correctional Services, said, “We can’t meet the challenge of overcrowding by increasing the number of jails. This is a vicious cycle — no reforms, more prisoners, more jails, more jail staff, more corruption leading to more prisoners and overcrowding.”He said overcrowding could be reduced within a given timeframe if authorities showed the will and initiative to undertake reforms. Semi-open and open prisons provide inmates a controlled transition into society, allowing them to maintain family ties, take on responsibilities and gain greater independence before completing their sentences.