A Study to Identify the Demographics of Prisoners at Morena, Madhya Pradesh, India

Abstract

Crime has been an integral challenge, faced by societies across the world;which disrupts peace, development and social harmony.(UNODC, 2023). The aim of present study was to identify the demographic characteristics and their association with type of crime among prisoners of district prison of Morena, Madhya Pradesh, India.A total of 189 prisoners were present during the time of data collection; using total enumeration sampling, the researcher collected data after obtaining necessary permission from the concerned authorities. The results showed that majorly the prisoners were aged below 30 i.e. n=101(53.4%), n=106(56.1%) were married; the educational background showed n=59 (31.2%) had completed 10th grade, n=120 (63.5%) belonged to rural areas, n=128 (67.7%) were living in joint family, n=72 (38.1%) of the inmates were engaged in agricultural work, n=69(36.5%) were having income of 5000-15000, n=158 (83.6%) of prisoners were having no previous history of imprisonment, further, the study showed that n=178(94.2%) had no history of physical disease, n=189 (100%) did not have psychological disease/issue. Furthermore, the type of crime shows that n=76 (40.21%) were involved in cases of murder or grievous hurt, n=71 (37.56%) were charged under the other crimes which are further classified as (n= 42(59.15%) under NDPS Act, n=14 (7.04%) under the Arms Act, n=5 (5.63%) under Section 326 IPC, n=4 (1.4%) under Section 151 IPC), n=28(14.81%) had committed crime against women, n=13(6.87%) had kidnapping/abduction and n=1(0.52%) had cybercrime cases. The association of type of crime with socio-demographic variables showed that there was positive association with previous occupation χ2=0.004*, monthly income χ2=0.040* and duration of previous imprisonment χ2=0.041* at less than 0.05 level. The study concludes that the study depicts the various characteristics leading to crimes, the researcher interprets young generation being exposed to unauthorized easy available weapons leading to crimes, first time law breakers needed some interventional psychological counselling and training of mind, body and spirit for an overall development. Further, there is a need for an environment conducive for the prisoners for their reform.