Assam jails near decongestion as hundreds of undertrials released on PR bonds

PR bonds have helped Assam significantly reduce long-standing jail overcrowding, with hundreds of petty offenders released on personal recognizance across the State. The Prisons Department reports that overcrowding has come down to around 1,200 inmates, compared to several thousand earlier. Against a total capacity of 10,400, Assam’s jails currently house about 11,536 prisoners.

Key Aspects of PR Bonds and Prison Decongestion in Assam:

Impact on Crowding: As of January 2026, Assam’s prisons are now only over capacity by about 1,200 inmates, a remarkable decrease from the several thousand that were overcrowded before.

Targeted Release: The focus is on releasing undertrials and minor offenders, with three of the six central jails (Tezpur, Dibrugarh, and Jorhat) already accommodating fewer inmates than they can hold.

Legal & Administrative Action: The High-Powered Committee (HPC), guided by the Gauhati High Court, is responsible for reviewing and facilitating these releases. This includes the release of “declared foreigners” who have spent two years in detention camps.

Reduction in Crime Data:  Improved policing has seen a decline in registered cases from 133,239 in 2021 to 43,748 in 2025, assisting with the overall management of the prison population.