Thiruvananthapuram, 25 July (H.S.) :Kerala will establish its fourth Central Prison in Thiruvananthapuram to tackle severe overcrowding in the state's correctional facilities, Home Minister Ramesh Chennithala has announced. The new prison will be constructed at Nedukalthery, a site owned by the State Prisons Department, with financial assistance from the Union government.
Construction of the new prison is expected to begin in September, after the Onam festival, marking a major expansion of Kerala's prison infrastructure. The project is aimed at increasing the state's correctional capacity and improving prison administration amid a steady rise in the inmate population.
According to the Home Minister, prisons across Kerala are currently housing inmates well beyond their sanctioned capacity, creating significant challenges for prison management and the welfare of prisoners. The proposed Central Prison is expected to reduce pressure on existing correctional facilities while providing improved accommodation and security arrangements.
Chennithala said the State Prisons Department is committed to a correctional philosophy that goes beyond punishment. He stressed that the objective of the prison system is not merely to confine offenders but also to ensure their protection, reform, rehabilitation and successful reintegration into society after the completion of their sentences.
He said the government's focus is on building a modern correctional system that balances public safety with opportunities for inmates to transform their lives through rehabilitation and skill development. The new Central Prison is expected to strengthen these efforts by providing better infrastructure and facilities for correctional programmes.
The Home Minister also said the government would examine the long-pending demand for a salary revision for prison department personnel, acknowledging the crucial role played by correctional officers in maintaining prison security and implementing rehabilitation initiatives.
The proposed Central Prison is expected to become a key milestone in Kerala's efforts to modernise its correctional system while addressing the persistent challenge of overcrowding in prisons across the state.
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Hindusthan Samachar / Arun Lakshman
