Thiruvananthapuram, 17 August (H.S.): Kerala's prisons are facing severe overcrowding following the arrest of more than 1,000 people under Operation Toofan, the UDF government's intensified campaign against drug trafficking and distribution networks.

Launched on June 2, the operation has dealt a significant blow to organised drug networks across the State. However, the large number of arrests has placed additional pressure on prisons already operating beyond their sanctioned capacity.

Official figures show that 1,005 people arrested in cases linked to Operation Toofan had been remanded in judicial custody as of July 23. Kerala's prisons, which have a combined capacity of 7,416 inmates, are currently accommodating 9,979 prisoners.

The situation is particularly acute in the Thiruvananthapuram region. Poojappura Central Prison, designed to accommodate 727 prisoners, currently houses 1,580 inmates - more than twice its authorised capacity.

Other central prisons are also overcrowded. Kannur Central Prison has 1,020 inmates against a capacity of 948, while Tavanur Central Prison houses 747 prisoners despite having space for only 568. However, officials said the pressure at these facilities was relatively less severe than in Thiruvananthapuram.

A prison official said the arrival of hundreds of inmates every month was making prison administration increasingly difficult. Transferring prisoners to facilities with available space could provide temporary relief, but the official stressed that permanent infrastructure was necessary to address the growing inmate population.

The State government is considering constructing a new central prison on the premises of the Nettukaltheri Open Prison. However, officials pointed out that such projects could take years to complete, noting that the construction of Tavanur Central Prison took nearly a decade.

An acute shortage of guards has further aggravated the crisis. Under the prison manual, 3,574 guards are required to maintain the prescribed ratio of one guard for every six prisoners during each eight-hour shift. The department currently has only 1,731 guards, less than half the required strength.

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Hindusthan Samachar / Arun Lakshman