Bhubaneswar, March 9: Odisha has reported 44 prison escapes over the past five years, according to information presented in the state Assembly. Chief Minister Mohan Charan Majhi shared the details in a written reply during the session.

The data also provided an overview of the current prison population in Odisha, including the number of undertrial inmates and convicted prisoners lodged in jails across the state.

As per the information submitted to the Assembly, the state has 86 jails that collectively house 18,176 prisoners. Of these, 14,040 are undertrial prisoners who are awaiting the completion of their legal proceedings, while 4,136 inmates are serving sentences after being convicted by courts.

The figures highlight the large proportion of undertrial prisoners currently held in correctional facilities throughout the state.

The Chief Minister further stated that 44 inmates have escaped from various prisons in Odisha in the last five years. Authorities have managed to recapture 27 of them so far, while 17 remain at large. Efforts by law enforcement agencies are continuing to locate and arrest the absconding prisoners.