Policy Note - Home (Prison) Department, Tamil Nadu

Prisons form part of the criminal justice system functioning under the State Government. Being a part of the criminal justice system, a Prison has a formal organization and specified functions to perform. The main objective of Prison Department is not only to confine prisoners and deter them from committing offences but also to reform, rehabilitate and reintegrate them with the society after their release. With this objective of rehabilitation in view, a number of job oriented vocational courses, yoga and meditation classes are conducted to help prisoners to cope with individual needs, social obligations, and family responsibilities.

In order to improve the living conditions of prisoners, upgrade the prisons, and improve the infrastructure facilities in Prisons while making them also highly secure, the Government have undertaken schemes for planned modernization of prisons.

2. The Prison Department consists of a total of 133 prisons. These include 8 Central Prisons, 2 Special Prisons for women, and 103 men and 10 women Sub Jails, 4 Special Sub Jails for men and 3 Special Sub Jails for women and One Open Air Prison, One farm jail, and One Borstal School. The Department is headed by a senior IPS Officer of the rank of Additional Director General of Police. He is assisted by 4 Deputy Inspectors General of Prisons one each for Chennai, Coimbatore, Trichy and Madurai Ranges, and one Deputy Inspector General of Prisons (Headquarters) in the Chief Office. Superintendents of Prisons control the administration of Central Prisons and Sub Jails under their jurisdiction. The cadre strength of Prison Department is 4,851. The total authorised accommodation of all Prisons is 18,152.

3. Apart from two Special Prisons for women at Trichy and Vellore which are exclusively manned by women staff, 10 Sub Jails and 3 Special Sub Jails at various locations have been converted as women jails for confining women prisoners to be managed by female staff.

4. An Open Air Prison with a capacity to accommodate 100 prisoners is functioning at Singanallur, Coimbatore District. Training is imparted to prisoners in modern methods of agriculture in this Open Air Prison. One Farm Jail with a capacity of 10 is also functioning at Salem.

5. Adolescent prisoners in the age group of 16-21 years are admitted in this school. They are given Borstal treatment with emphasis on education and vocational training, which would be help in rehabilitating them, and enabling them to manage their lives after release from this school.

6. The probation wing of Prison Department consists of 96 Probation officers and 12 Regional Probation Officers headed by a Chief Probation Superintendent. Probation officers make enquiries for court regarding the behaviour pattern of offenders, and their living conditions. They also supervise the offenders released on probation, and attend to their rehabilitation. They also visit police lock up to ensure that the basic human rights are maintained.

During the year 2004, the number of enquiries made by the Probation Officers for the courts were 5164 preliminaries and 11417 other enquiries. They have also made visits to 3751 Probationers and 31489 others. The number of after care reports submitted in the year were 26127 preliminaries and 1765 others. The Probation Officers also made 6162 appearances in courts. Besides, a total of 2386 prisoners were assisted in rehabilitation by arranging financial aid of Rs.2,83,025/- through Nationalized banks.

7. Under Modernization of Prison Administration funded by Government of India with a matching grant from State, various schemes have been implemented by Government for improving security arrangements. The main thrust is given on provision of modern equipments like Closed Circuit Televisions, Cell phone De-activators, Live wire fencing, Lighting arrangements, Bomb detection equipments, Modern weapons, recording facilities, metal detectors, night vision binoculars, deep search metal detectors, small arms stimulator etc. Prison personnel have been given updated training to take care of the safety and security of the Prisons and staff. High Security enclosures have been built in three Central Prisons at Tiruchirappalli, Salem and Coimbatore.

8. Under Eleventh Finance Commission financial aid to the tune of Rs.800 lakhs was sanctioned for the year 2001-2002, 2002-2003 and 2003-2004 by the Government of India as 100% grant from which the schemes sanctioned under Medical and Sanitation facilities, water supply arrangements, security arrangements, and computer training centres for imparting vocational training to the prisoners have been implemented. All the works have been completed and the schemes have been implemented fully for the period mentioned above.

9. Warders are given basic training in drill, discipline, management and correctional methods for six months at Warders’ Training Centre, Vellore. Emphasis is given on human rights of prisoners. Handling of modern weapons is also taught. In addition to these training programmes periodical refresher courses are also imparted for Warders and Chief Head Warders.

The Warders’ Training Centre at Vellore functions with a capacity to train 100 Warders. Warders are also sent to undergo various training courses in the Police Commando School in Chennai.

10. This Institution has been imparting training to the Prison officers of 4 Southern States of Andra Pradesh, Karnataka, Kerala, & Tamil Nadu in correctional aspects and prison management, since 1979. The expenditure of this Institution is equally shared by the four participating southern states.

11. Prison Officers are also deputed for National level courses in Human Rights, Prison Management etc. which are conducted by the Bureau of Police Research and Development, New Delhi, National Human Rights Commission, New Delhi, National Institute of Forensic Science, New Delhi and the National Institute of Social Defence, New Delhi. In the last 4 years 55 officers of this Department have undergone training in the above mentioned institutions.

12. Warders are recruited through Tamil Nadu Uniformed Services Recruitment Board in accordance with the rules and standards prescribed. Recruitment of 352 Grade II Warders was ordered by Government to implement the 8 hours duty system. Tamil Nadu Uniformed Services Recruitment Board has sent the selection list to the Additional Director General of Prisons and they will be appointed soon.

13. High security blocks were created initially in Coimbatore, Salem and Trichy prisons for confining hardcore prisoners. Later the High security block concept was extended to other prisons also. All fundamentalist and hardcore prisoners confined in high security enclosures of various prisons, are internally guarded by Prison warders and officers, and externally by the Tamil Nadu Special Police. High security prisoners are subjected to proper search daily by duty warders and periodically by higher authorities. They are segregated from other prisoners as per prison rules.

Visitors to these prisons are thoroughly searched by the Police and Prison authorities before and after interviews. Regular anti-sabotage checks are also being carried out to prevent any escape or untoward incidents in Prisons. Proper lighting, installation of closed circuit television cameras, metal detectors, cell phone de-activators in three Central Prisons at Chennai, Coimbatore and Palayamkottai and live wire fencing over the walls are installed in all Central Prisons as a security measure. Despite confinement, all prisoners are treated with consideration and respect.

All prisoners involved in serial bomb blast case in Coimbatore are kept in Central prison Coimbatore, while Tamil Nadu Liberation Army Prisoners and other bomb blast cases prisoners are kept in Special Sub Jail in Poonamallee.

14. All Prisoners in Central Prisons and Sub Jails are given a diet on a scale prescribed in chapter XXII in Tamil Nadu Prison Manual Volume II. Balanced food prepared under hygienic conditions is supplied to the prisoners as per the scale prescribed. Items like milk, bread, egg etc., are given to sick prisoners as medical diet on the recommendations of the Medical Officer. Stainless steel plates and mugs are provided to prisoners besides stainless steel cooking vessels, and trolleys for use in prisons for better health and hygiene. Clothing and bedding is provided to prisoners as per the norms laid down. Terry cotton shorts and shirts are issued to prisoners and blankets of larger size are also issued to them. Remand Prisoners who do not have adequate clothes are also provided with sufficient clothing.

15. Prisoners are provided adequate medical facilities. Health camps are also conducted regularly. Prisoners suffering from leprosy are given specialised treatment. Mentally challenged prisoners are also adequately treated by admitting them in the Government Mental Health Institute, Chennai. DOTS (Directly observed treatment short course) centre has been established in Central Prisons to treat tuberculosis among prisoners. Smoking in prisons has been banned by the Government as a health care measure. Ambulances have been provided to all Central Prisons. Clinical laboratories, Electro Cardiogram, Auto Blood analyzer and portable X-ray equipments have also been provided in Central Prisons to carry out clinical tests. Tooth powder and toilet soap is also issued to prisoners for better hygiene.

16. In all Central Prisons and Sub Jails interview facilities are available to prisoners. The interview application is supplied free, and it can be down loaded from the Prison website. Newspapers and periodicals are also supplied to prisoners at government cost. Prisoners are allowed to study books of educative and literary value that are kept in prison libraries, and books are also borrowed from District libraries for use of prisoners. Facilities are provided to prisoners to play indoor & out door games.

17. All the willing and eligible prisoners are permitted to avail Distance Educational facilities at Government cost. Schools are also functioning with qualified teachers for adult education. The Indira Gandhi National Open University is conducting the following courses:

A total of 53 prisoners have been admitted to the above courses during the year 2004, and their educational expense amounting to Rs.96,695/- has been met by the Government.

The Manonmaniam Sundaranar University is offering Undergraduate and Post graduate courses exclusively for Prisoners in Central Prisons. Under this programme which is the first of its kind in the country, the courses will adopt the syllabus prescribed under the Open University system. A total of 28 prisoners from various prisons have enrolled themselves in both Undergraduate and Post graduate courses under this scheme. A sum of Rs.32,515/- has been spent by the Government towards the educational expenses of prisoners admitted to Graduate and post graduate courses in this University.

18. With a view to expedite the disposal of petty cases, in which the accused pleads guilty, to avoid the remand prisoner being detained unnecessarily for a long period and to have easy access to presiding officers, the Prisoners Adalat, which is the first of its kind in the country has been established in all Central Prisons and in all Special Prisons for Women. Magistrates are attending Prisoners’ Adalat on a turn basis, and dispose the cases of prisoners who plead guilty.

Free Legal Aid facilities are available to prisoners. Legal Aid Cell has been established in all Central Prisons and Special Prison for Women by the Tamil Nadu State Legal Services Authority, Chennai.

19. In all Central Prisons sealed complaint boxes have been installed to enable prisoners to ventilate their grievances. District and Sessions Judge opens the boxes on the first working day of every month, and sends the complaints to the appropriate authorities for action. Sessions Judges, and Chief Judicial Magistrates also make surprise visits to prisons once in fifteen days to check food and other facilities for prisoners, and to enquire their grievances.

20. In order to ensure sound administration, and to maintain strict prison discipline, official visitors appointed by Government make periodic visits to prisons. The members of Human Rights Commission, Hon’ble Judges and other dignitaries also make visits to prisons to ensure the provision of basic requirements and proper treatment of prisoners.

Members of public who are interested in prisons and have a good background of social work are appointed as non-official visitors. They are allowed to meet prisoners. They also visit all premises of a prison to satisfy themselves on the implementation of rules and regulations of prisons. The term of the non-official visitors is three years. Additional Director General of Prisons is delegated with powers for appointment of non-official visitors to all Central Prisons, Special Prisons for Women and Sub Jails. The non-official visitors have been appointed in almost all Central Prisons and in most of the Sub Jails.

21. Government have ensured that prisoners get the amenities they are entitled to. Their human rights are protected by providing decent living conditions, wholesome food, sufficient clothing, proper treatment and medical care, interviews and education facilities. Prison officials are sensitized adequately to be receptive to the genuine grievances of the prisoners.

Members of National and State Human Rights Commissions and Hon’ble Judges have visited various prisons in Tamil Nadu, and have commended the administration of jails. The National Human Rights Commission has often expressed its concern in regard to general overcrowding in prisons. As a remedial measure, the Government have approved the creation of District Jails by upgrading the Sub-Jails at District Headquarters. The construction of 3 District Jails at Srivaikundam, Nagercoil, Dindigul are nearing completion and 2 District Jails at Virudhunagar and Ramanathapuram have been taken up for upgradation. This will ease the pressure on central prisons. Provision of more facilities at district level would also help to avoid unnecessary transit of prisoners. Apart from this, the Government have declared Sub Jail, Nanguneri as Special Sub Jail. Structural modifications have been carried out at a cost of Rs.15 lakhs to accommodate more prisoners, and to enable the sub-jail to function as Special Sub Jail.

22. In order to maintain better communication facilities between Sub Jails and Central Prisons for effective administration, 78 new telephone connections have been provided to Sub Jails. Hand held walkie-talkies have been provided to Central Prisons. Pest control system has been introduced in 8 Central Prisons and Special Prison for Women, Vellore. Xerox copier machines have been provided to the Office of the Additional Director General of Prisons, Special Prisons for Women, Vellore and Trichy. Four new ambulances have been purchased and provided to Central Prison, Chennai, Cuddalore, Vellore and Trichy. A 50 KVA Generator has been provided to Special Prison for Women, Vellore. New furniture and books will be provided to the library attached to all central prisons and special prisons for women at Vellore and Trichy.

23. In all Central Prisons Yoga and Meditation classes are organized to improve the physical and mental health of prisoners. The Government have permitted voluntary organization and individuals to conduct Yoga and Meditation classes in prisons. The staff and prisoners actively participate in these programmes. 11532 prisoners and 1838 prison staff have undergone Yoga and Meditation classes during 2004.

24. For the rehabilitation and welfare of staff and prisoners, the Government have permitted many Non Govermental Organisations (N.G.O.s) to undertake rehabilitation work in prisons. These include training in yoga and meditation, counselling, lectures on ethics, free medical treatment camps, vocational training etc. So far 23 N.G.O.s have been permitted to undertake these rehabilitation programmes.

25. To inculcate a work habit among prisoners, various trades and vocations have been introduced in prisons. Training is imparted in simple trades like brick making, plumbing, sign board making, electrical wiring, weaving, book binding, tailoring, and the manufacture of tags, wax, shoes, phenyl, tapes, soaps, cumbly, flat files, etc. for self employment. On completion of this vocational training certificates are issued by the State Council for Vocational Education and Training. Some of the out moded prison industries which have no rehabilitative value have been closed.

The Prison Department has been declared as a "Service Department". The Prison Department manufactures and supplies articles to government departments free of cost. Average production of the prison industrial units for the last 4 years works out to about Rs.4 crores per annum.

Wage earning scheme for prisoners is in force in all Central Prisons, Borstal School and Special Prisons for Women in this State. They are paid wages, after authorized deductions, at the rate of Rs.18/-for skilled work, Rs.15/-for semi skilled work and Rs.13.50/- for un-skilled work per day.

26. Government have instituted the following medals to be awarded to the Prison officers for commendable performance.

b) Tamil Nadu Chief Minister’s Prison Service Medal for Outstanding Devotion to Duty

This year 29 persons were awarded Chief Minister’s Medal and 15 persons were awarded President’s Medal.

27. Ex-gratia payment is given to prison personnel or their family under certain circumstances. The legal heirs of the deceased prison personnel, who die in heroic action are paid the last pay drawn by the deceased person as family pension till his / her normal date of retirement. After that, the eligible family pension is paid.

28. As per the direction of the Hon’ble Chief Minister senior officers of the Prison Department are conducting Grievance Day meetings as follows.

29. The Prison staff are paid extra time remuneration at the enhanced rate of Rs.100/- on par with Police personnel.

30. Government have sanctioned the payment of feeding charges to the executive staff employed in security duties in Central Prisons during emergencies, and during occasions of mass arrest of prisoners, at the rate of Rs.35/- for Grade II Warders, Rs.40/- for Grade I Warders and Chief Head Warders and Rs.50/- for others upto Deputy Jailor in mofussil areas and at Rs.80/- for all in Chennai City. Apart from this, the warders who are on night duty in Central Prisons are provided night meals and morning tea at government cost.

31. Warders are paid a sum of Rs.200/- per head per year towards stitching charges for two sets of uniforms.

32. For many years, there was acute stagnation in the lower ranks in Prison Department, and there were major bottlenecks in the channel for promotions. The Government have resolved to solve this problem by creating 1200 posts of First Grade Warder in a phased manner spread over a period of 4 years. As a first step, Government have issued orders for the creation of 300 posts of First Grade Warder for the year 2004-2005 by upgrading Grade.II warder posts.

Government have sanctioned and appointed six directly recruited Jailors through Tamil Nadu Public Service Commission, and they have been posted in various Central Prisons after completion of training.

Government have also sanctioned upgradation of the post of Deputy Superintendent of Prisons, Special Prison for Women, Trichy as Superintendent of Prisons.

33. Government have adopted a new system for procurement of dietary articles for Central prisons and Sub jails through open Tender system at competitive rates as per Tamil Nadu Transparency in Tender Act 1998. This system is much cheaper, than the old system of purchasing whole sale from co-operatives.

34. Raw materials required for various small scale industries functioning in Central Prisons and the Borstal School are purchased through Tamil Nadu Transparency in Tender Act 1998. All the raw materials so purchased are of ISI standard.

35. All the Central Prisons, have been provided with computers. A software on "Prisoners Information System", first of its kind in the country, has been developed with the help of National Informatics Centre (NIC). The National Informatic Centre is also developing software, for computerisation of prison records. Already 168 staff of this Department have been given training in the use of computers. A computer centre has been started in each Central Prison and Special Prison for Women, at a cost of Rs.155 lakhs to provide computer training to prisoners.

To promote transparency in administration, and to enable the public to know the activities of this department, a website designed and hosted by National Informatics Centre was launched by the Prison Department. The following are the website addresses:

36. In order to collect intelligence on prison activities, an Intelligence –cum- Vigilance wing consisting of One Inspector of Police, 2 Sub Inspectors of Police, One Police Head Constable and one Grade II Police Constable is functioning in this Department

37. For upgrading the overall standards in Prisons, the Government of India, Ministry of Home Affairs, New Delhi have formulated a Perspective Plan on Prison Reforms and an Annual Action Plan. Under this Plan, Government of India has tentatively allocated a sum of Rs.95.34 crores (which includes 25 % of the State contribution) for the five year period 2002-07 for the implementation of schemes with the following four components:-

In the perspective plan for the new jails, 10 Sub Jails are proposed to be upgraded as district jails along with one Special Prison for Women. The objective of the perspective plan is to reduce congestion by expanding and improving the facilities in prisons. Measures for providing additional facilities of water supply, sanitation, accommodation for staff are being actively pursued. Government vide G.O.Ms.No.454, Home, dated 29.5.2003, G.O.Ms.No. 622, Home, Dated 18.05.2004, and G.O.Ms.No. 914, Home, dated 28.06.2004 have accorded necessary administrative and financial sanctions to the tune of Rs.1907 lakhs per year for the implementation of various works under the schemes mentioned below.

Sl. No.	Name of Scheme Component	Cost (Rupees in lakhs)
1	Construction of New Jails	706.00
2	Repairs and Renovation to existing prison buildings	607.00
3	Water Supply and Sanitation	94.00
4	Living Accommodation to prison staff	500.00
	Total	1907.00

The works have been entrusted to the State Public Works Department and Tamil Nadu Police Housing Corporation Limited. The works are under various stages of execution.

Introduction of Tele Justice using Video Conferencing System in Prison and Court Complexes

38. For the first time in this State, the remand of prisoners is extended through a Video Conferencing System, implemented at a cost of Rs. 861.20 lakhs. It is a unique feature as no other state has extended this facility throughout the state so far. The Hon’ble Chief Minister inaugurated this scheme on 01.07.2004. This system significantly reduces the chances of escape of prisoners and other mishaps during their transit to courts. Moreover the expenditure on Police escort and vehicles is also reduced by approximately Rs. 10 crores per annum. So far 44,982 prisoners were produced before courts through Video Conferencing System for remand.

Puzhal Prison complex39. Keeping in view the overcrowding in Central Prison, Chennai and the need for increasing its capacity, the Government have decided to construct a new prison complex at Puzhal. What is envisaged is a modern complex housing 1250 remand prisoners, 1250 convict prisoners and 500 women prisoners. The new complex will be in a vast area of 211.92 acres in a pollution free and healthy environment. The prisoners convicted in Chennai, Kancheepuram and Tiruvallore districts will be lodged in Puzhal Prison. Government in G.O.Ms.No.957, Home, dated, 27.09.2003 have issued orders according financial sanction for a sum of Rs. 77.09 crores for the construction of new prison complex at Puzhal, and the work has been entrusted to Tamil Nadu Police Housing Corporation Limited. So far an expenditure of Rs. 25 crores has been incurred, and the work is progressing satisfactorily.

40. The following are the schemes proposed under Part II for the year 2005-2006.

41. In pursuing these reforms and innovations the Tamil Nadu Prison administration has been receiving strong and consistent support from the Government. Concerted efforts have been taken by the Government to promote the welfare of prisoners and the service conditions of the Prison staff. Infrastructure facilities, safety and security of prisons, provision of health care, concern for women prisoners and observance of human rights have received consistent attention. Planned and consistent efforts are being undertaken to upgrade and streamline the prison administration. The overall objective is to make prisons in our State secure modern and correctional institutions, both in letter as well as in spirit.