BENGALURU: Over half the convicts housed in Karnataka’s jails are youths. NCRB data on prison statistics shows that the state has 53.6 per cent convicts aged between 18 and 30, much higher than the national average of 31.2 per cent, and ranking second only after Mizoram (65.7%) in the country.
In terms of undertrials too languishing in state jails, over half of them are under 30.
According to 2015 data, there were 3,904 convicts (3,702 men, 202 women) serving sentences in different prisons. Of these, 2,094 persons (2,000 men, 94 women) were aged 18-30, which is 53.6 per cent of the total convicts. The figure is much higher in comparison to other states in south India: Tamil Nadu (21.4%), Kerala (34.9), Andhra Pradesh (25.4 per) and Telangana (37.7%).
The number of convicts aged between 30 and 50 years was 1,699 (1,599 men, 100 women), or 43.6 per cent.
As for undertrials, the percentage in the 18-30 age group in Karnataka (52.7) was much higher than the national average of 47.5 and highest among south Indian states. Of the 9,314 undertrials, 4,909 were under 30, while 4,030 were in 30-50 age group.
The demographic profile explored by the survey also showed a correlation between education level and prison sentence.
Of the convicts, 32.5 per cent were illiterate (national average 27.5 per cent), while 41.2 per cent had studied till SSLC or less.
The number of convicts with a degree was less than one per cent (0.57 per cent). Similarly, among undertrials, 32.6 per cent (3,038) were illiterate, while 49.6 per cent (4,624) had studied till Class 10 or less.
Speaking to Express, retired DG&IGP S T Ramesh said thorough research was necessary to understand why there has been a spurt in convicts who are in 18-30 age group.
“Karnataka is a booming state and it attracts a lot of people due to job opportunities. Along with it, the opportunity for crime is also high,” he said.
Another expert said that the phenomenon was due to an increase in the migrant population.