‘Only tiny proportion of reality’: Over 9,600 children wrongly incarcerated in adult prisons in India
New Delhi: A recent study says that over nine thousand children have been wrongfully detained in adult prison across India.
According to Kashmir Media Service, the study titled “Incarceration of Children in Prisons in India” and conducted by iProBono, an Indian social justice organization, revealed shocking findings that underscore systemic failures in the India’s juvenile justice system which sparked urgent calls for reform and accountability.
According to the report, which analysed government data obtained through the Right to Information (RTI) Act, at least 9,681 children were found to be unlawfully incarcerated in adult prisons between January 1, 2016, and December 31, 2021. However, this figure likely represents only a fraction of the actual number, as only half of the RTI requests yielded responses, indicating significant transparency issues and data withholding by state prison authorities.
The study highlights BJP ruled Uttar Pradesh state as having the highest number of cases, with 2,914 children transferred from adult jails to juvenile facilities. This revelation underscores a widespread lack of adherence to protocols established by Juvenile Justice Boards (JJBs), which are crucial for identifying and transferring underage inmates to appropriate settings.
Lead researcher Gitanjali Prasad emphasised the gravity of the findings, stating, “This data represents only a tiny proportion of the reality.” The study exposes systemic deficiencies within the criminal justice system, where children’s rights are frequently disregarded, leading to wrongful incarceration and a failure to safeguard vulnerable individuals.
A prominent social activist associated with the Bachpan Bachao Andolan (Save Childhood Movement), Syed Arshad Mehdi while expressing deep concern over the findings said, “It is worrying and surprising.” He also highlighted the prevalent abuse faced by economically disadvantaged and vulnerable youth.
