Uttarakhand to Get Three New Jails Amid Overcrowding Concerns, Expansion Approved for Sitarganj Central Jail

Uttarakhand – The Uttarakhand government has approved the construction of three new jails in Champawat, Pithoragarh, and Uttarkashi districts, along with the expansion of the Central Jail in Sitarganj. The decision comes in response to severe overcrowding in existing prisons across the state.

According to the Home Department, the construction work for all three new jails is set to begin soon. Land has been finalized for the Uttarkashi jail, while administrative approvals have been granted for the jails in Champawat and Pithoragarh. Additionally, Sitarganj Central Jail, which currently has a capacity of 552 inmates, will be expanded to accommodate 300 more prisoners.

At present, Uttarakhand has 11 operational jails, including an open camp jail in Sitarganj. These facilities are collectively built to house 3,541 inmates. However, they currently hold 5,521 prisoners — nearly 1.5 times their official capacity — including 3,307 undertrials and 2,259 convicts. A recent report by India Justice identified Uttarakhand as having the most overcrowded prisons in the country.

The expansion plans have been in discussion for some time. The Home Department had sought proposals from the Prison Department to boost capacity, resulting in the inclusion of Champawat, Pithoragarh, and Uttarkashi in the new jail blueprint. Land for the Uttarkashi facility had earlier been a bottleneck, but officials confirm it has now been secured.

Home Secretary Shailesh Bagauli confirmed the approvals and added that construction work will begin without delay. In Sitarganj, the extended infrastructure will increase the total capacity to over 850 inmates.

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Residential Facilities to Be Upgraded in Three Locations

Alongside jail expansions, the government also plans to improve residential quarters for jail staff. In the first phase, staff housing will be developed in Sudhowala (Dehradun), Haridwar, and Almora jails. Budget allocations for these upgrades were already made in the previous financial year, and construction will soon begin.

Current Status of Major Jails in Uttarakhand

Jails with Less Than Full Capacity

Notably, the Sitarganj open jail currently holds only 45 inmates despite having a capacity for 300, all of whom are convicted prisoners. Similarly, Chamoli jail has a capacity of 169 but houses 120 inmates at present.