Meghalaya home (jails) minister Augustine Marak today said while the jails in the state were over-crowded, two new prisons were coming up to ease the congestion.

The total registered capacity of the four jails in the state is 540, but currently they are housing 627 inmates, the minister said.

"Two new jails are coming up at Nongpoh in Ri Bhoi district and Nongstoin in West Khasi Hills district and they are likely to ease the congestion," Marak told the assembly in reply to question.

The registered capacity of Shillong jail in 150, while its current occupancy is 263. Similarly, the Jowai jail has 158 inmates against the capacity of 130.

Of the total 627 inmates in various jails, 515, including 12 female, are under trial prisoners (UTP).

The longest serving UTP has been in judicial custody since February 2004, after being accused in a murder, he said.

The minister informed that the prisons department has undertaken an initiative to appoint carpentry and craft instructors in all the jails to impart vocational training to the prisoners.