Daijiworld Media Network - Panaji
Panaji, Jun 7: With nearly 46% of undertrials in Goa spending 1-3 years behind bars, adding to prison overcrowding, the Ministry of Home Affairs (MHA) has urged the Goa government to proactively identify poor prisoners who are unable to secure bail or pay fines due to financial hardships.
In a recent communication to all states, including Goa, the MHA emphasized the need to utilize funds allocated under the “Support to Poor Prisoners Scheme 2023” to provide financial assistance for their release.
According to the India Justice Report 2025, Goa’s jail occupancy is at 102%, with the proportion of undertrials detained for 1-3 years increasing from 34% in 2022 to 46% in 2025. Almost half the undertrial population has spent between 1 and 3 years in detention.
“As you are aware, the Ministry of Home Affairs had introduced the ‘Support to Poor Prisoners Scheme’ in May 2023, with the objective of providing financial assistance to States and UTs to help poor prisoners who are unable to secure bail or release from prison due to non-payment of fine,” the communication read.
Despite repeated reminders, the MHA said many states and UTs have not utilized the funds effectively, failing to identify eligible prisoners and extend the scheme’s benefits. While a few states have made progress, overall implementation has been unsatisfactory.
The MHA highlighted that during several review meetings with the states and UTs, the importance of the scheme was consistently emphasized, given its potential to bring relief to poor prisoners stuck in jails due to financial constraints.
“States and UTs are therefore requested to make concerted efforts to identify eligible prisoners as per the scheme’s guidelines and hold regular meetings to ensure implementation,” the ministry said, adding that the scheme’s effective execution would help reduce prison overcrowding.
The MHA has already issued detailed guidelines and a standard operating procedure for implementing the scheme.
As per these guidelines, states and UTs must form an empowered committee in each district and an oversight committee at the state level. These committees will be responsible for approving financial assistance for eligible prisoners.
“Effective implementation of the scheme will not only help poor prisoners but also contribute to reducing prison overcrowding,” the MHA stressed.