Jail tyranny: 74% of prisoners are undertrials; systemic delays persist

India’s prisons are grappling with a staggering 3.9 lakh undertrials, constituting nearly three-fourths of all inmates, despite a marginal improvement. Delays in investigations, a severe shortage of judges (21 per million), and limited legal aid are key contributors to this persistent issue. Consequently, jails remain critically overcrowded at 121% occupancy, underscoring a deep-seated crisis within the justice system.