769 prisoners died in state prisons between 2014 and 2024

BENGALURU: Recent data from the Home Department has revealed shocking information. Many prisoners are dying under mysterious circumstances, and the department seems to be unaware of the causes, leading to questions about how safe the prisoners are in the state’s jails.

The state’s prisons reported an alarming number of deaths between 2014 and March 2025. The data shows that prisoners are falling victim to clashes within the jails, lockup deaths and some even claim their own lives. The situation is so dire that one can’t help but wonder if the state’s prisons have become death traps.

So far, 769 prisoners died in the state’s prisons. From 2014 to March 2025, 172 prisoners have died in the state’s prisons due to clashes, suicide, and unknown causes. Of the 172 deaths, 3 prisoners died due to clashes in jail, 90 prisoners committed suicide, and 79 prisoners died due to unknown causes.

The Home Department has released statistics on prison deaths over the past 10 years, revealing that 367 accused persons have died in police custody.

The major causes of these deaths are complex, but it’s clear that the prison system is failing to provide humane conditions for incarcerated individuals. Overcrowding, poor healthcare and inadequate staffing are just a few of the issues contributing to this crisis.