Oldest Jails in Assam
The total number of prisons at national level has increased from 1,306 in 2020 to 1,319 in 2021, having increased by 1.0 per cent.
The 1,319 prisons in the country consist of 564 Sub Jails, 424 District Jails,148 Central Jails, 88 Open Jails, 41 Special Jails, 32 Women Jails, 19 Borstal Schools and 3 Other than the above Jails.
The highest number of jails was reported in Rajasthan (144) followed by Tamil Nadu (142), Madhya Pradesh (131), Andhra Pradesh (106), Odisha (92) and Uttar Pradesh (75). These Six (6) States together cover 52.3% of total jails in the country as on 31st December, 2021.
Tezpur Central Jail The Tejpur Jail was set up in 1846. It has been declared a Central Jail now. The total area of the jail premises is a little over 30 acres. The jail enclosure itself is situated on about 9 acres of land.
Dibrugarh Central Jail Dibrugarh central jail is considered the most secure prison in the state and one of the oldest prisons in northeast India. It was constructed in 1859-60 by the British on 15.54 acres of land.
Guwahati Central Jail The first jail in Guwahati was set up in 1881 at Fancy Bazaar with a capacity of 500 inmates. It was moved to Sarusajai on 30 April 2010 and was upgraded to the present capacity of 1000 inmates. The new jail was opened in April 2012 when 805 inmates were moved there.
Silchar Central Jail This is one of the most oldest jail in Assam and Northeastern states as well,this jail was established in 1881.
Jorhat Central Jail The Jorhat central jail, formerly known as Jorhat district jail was constructed during the British rule in India in 1911. During the freedom struggle, prominent freedom fighters like social reformer Pitambor Dev Goswami, former President Fakaruddin Ali Ahmed, former chief minister Bimala Prasad Chaliha and Kamala Miri were imprisoned in this jail.
Nagaon Central Jail Spread over 36 Bigha 04 Kotha and 14 lecha of land in the heart of Nagaon city this jail was established in the year 1950 as District Jail and subsequently upgraded to Central Jail in the year 2002, presently known as Central Jail Nagaon.
Dhubri Jail Dhubri Jail established in the year 1965, it was housed in an old Assam-style bungalow and spread over 8 bighas.