Attributes A unique feature of the scheme is that it is going to prove to be cost effective. This is so because the new courts have been charged with the exclusive work of disposing of undertrial cases in the first year of their existence. In plain terms, this will mean a huge saving in jail expenditure. As stated earlier, the State Governments are spending an aggregate of Rs. 361 crore annually on the 1.80 lakh undertrials.
Indian jails are, in fact, brimming with prisoners.
Against the sanctioned capacity of 2.56 lakh, jails in the country are crowded by more than five lakh inmates. This is resulting in all sorts of complications. Keeping this factor in view the States had together sought from the Eleventh Finance Commission an aggregate of Rs. 3,700 crore upgradation grant to improve facilities and infrastructure relating to jails. The Finance body, however, provided 116 crore for a five-year period. This may be small consolation.