Law Students Visit to Central Prison - Puzhal

LAW STUDENTS VISIT TO CENTRAL PRISON- PUZHAL | Event Date: Friday, 27th, October 2023

The students of School of Law got an opportunity to have a ground zero experience of prison administration and issues relating to crime and punishment by visiting Central Prison Puzhal on 27 October, 2023. The student contingent of fifty members were accompanied by Dr K Jameela and Mr. Karthik A.

The visit aimed to expose the budding lawyers to know about criminal administrative system in real terms. Students with all enthusiasm and interest interacted with the officials and the prison inmates for more than four hours.

After a detailed verification by the Police Intelligence people and Director General of Prison and Correctional Administration granted permission to visit the jail for 50 students in its first spell. The DGP Prison and Correctional Administration will issue permission for another set of 50 students in due course, once a detailed verification by the Police Intelligence is complete.

It is School of Law’s first attempt and applied for permission with authorities. The students contingent started in a bus arranged by Hindustan Institute of Technology and Science and proceeded to Puzhal in the morning by 9am sharp and reached destination by 11am. All the students underwent a thorough checking at Jail premises and they were allowed to enter into prison. Two Liaison Officer designate Sub-Inspectors gave an overview of prison administration and its history and significant aspects. They have taken the students to prison cells, kitchen, bakery and other areas. Students tasted the quality of ‘food’ that is being served to the convicts in the prison.

Students had an opportunity to see the place (gallows) where death penalty will be executed. Students also visited the special security zone area too. Prison is a place where the convicts are expected to ‘reform’ and they need to be engaged and trained in certain skills. Hence, the Prison Administrative Authorities are offering vocational training to the convicts. Carpentry, tailoring, book-binding are some of the activities they are engaged in. Some paintings, drawings made by convicts showing their concern towards environment, clean and green etc. When they visited some convicts are engaged in stitching bags for GRT Jewelers. The convicts expressed their anguish with the students that the government is not giving any ‘tax incentives’ to the products they made. It is shocking to note that it also comes under GST. It is heartening to note that the bakery items in the brand name of ‘Freedom Bread’ are being supplied to all hospitals in Tamil Nadu. The bread is so tasty and signifies cherished value of ‘Freedom’. Bakery premises are absolutely neat and hygienic.

Students visited prison hospital and counseling center and other health care facilities. The silver line in the entire visit is – the convicts serving the sentence are excited to speak with our students more. They shared their experience to the students as jail-birds.

There is one legal aid clinic attached to central prison, where the jail authorities offer free legal aid to the deserving cases. Our students team assured the authorities to offer their services through legal aid clinic.

This visit has an educational value and ignited the spirits of our students. They identified and noticed the challenges faced by the officers and the inmates as well. They had a real time experience to know about prison as an institution where ‘reform’ is taking place.

The team left the prison and reached HITS campus by 3.30pm.

Clearance and Commencement of Visit:

Upon clearance and checking procedures, the visit officially began at 11:30 am. The delegation expertly guided by two Liaison Officers holding not less than the rank of Assistant Sub-Inspector (A.S.I).

Highlights of the Visit:

Bakery:

The exploration initiated with a thorough tour of the prison's bakery. Notably, the inmates were actively involved in the preparation of bread, a commendable initiative wherein the produced bread is distributed to various government hospitals in Chennai. This endeavor not only sustains the prison ecosystem but also serves as a unique form of rehabilitation through skill development.

Prison Overview:

The delegation gained profound insights into the overall structure and layout of the prison, fostering a comprehensive understanding of the living conditions of the inmates..

Kitchen:

The kitchen facilities were inspected, showcasing the cooking arrangements for the prison population. It was also explained about the menu which was healthy

Hanging Spot:

The group visited the hanging spot, providing an understanding of the legal aspects and procedures associated with capital punishment.

Outer Visits:

The delegation toured Class A Prison, the facility for mentally ill inmates, and other special cells, witnessing the diverse sections of the prison complex.

Rehabilitation Center & Vocational Training :

The rehabilitation center showcased various manufacturing activities undertaken by prisoners, including the production of essential items like band-aids, files, covers, and office furniture. These products were supplied to various government departments, exemplifying the vocational training provided for skill development. The aesthetically pleasing and well-maintained environment, adorned with wall paintings created by the prisoners, reflected their commitment to a clean and green atmosphere.

Students had the opportunity to witness the well-being of prisoners and the rehabilitation facilities provided by the prison administration, gaining valuable insights into the holistic approach towards inmate care.

Hospital and Psychological Clinic:

The delegation visited the prison hospital and psychological clinic, gaining insights into the healthcare facilities provided to inmates.

One-to-One Interaction:

The group engaged in one-to-one interactions with prisoners who had been incarcerated for more than 10 years, providing a unique perspective on their experiences and rehabilitation efforts.

Interaction with Prison Administration:

The delegation also had one-to-one interactions with prison administration officers, discussing various aspects of prison management, rehabilitation programs, and challenges faced by the administration.

Conclusion and Departure:

The visit concluded at 1:00 pm, and the bus departed at 1:15 pm. The group reached Hindustan Institute of Technology and Science - School of Law at 3:30 pm, concluding a valuable and insightful visit to Central Prison Puzhal - I.

This visit served as an educational experience, offering students a practical understanding of the prison system, rehabilitation initiatives, and the challenges faced by both inmates and the prison administration. The engagement with prisoners and prison officials enriched the students' perspectives on the legal and social aspects of incarceration.