Amid overcrowding in prisons, SC seeks data on vacant staff positions

NEW DELHI: Vacant posts of jail staff do not augur well for prisoners, particularly when jails in the country are overcrowded, the Supreme Court remarked on Tuesday, as it sought nationwide data on vacancy figures across all prisons within two months.

- Abraham Thomas

A bench headed by Justice Hrishikesh Roy directed all states and Union territories to inform about steps taken already or being initiated to fill up the sanctioned posts of jail officials and staff. It also sought separate data on the strength of jail officials and staff.

"All states and UTs shall gather information also on vacancies and if any steps are being taken or is underway to fill it," the bench, also comprising Justice SVN Bhatti, said in its order.