Puzhal Central Prison

Puzhal Central Prison is a central prison complex located in Chennai (Chennai District), India. It is about 23 km from the city centre. The prison became operational from 2006 replacing the erstwhile Chennai Central Prison.[1]

Puzhal Central Prison
Puzhal Central Prison
Location in Tamil Nadu
Puzhal Central Prison
Puzhal Central Prison (India)
LocationChennai
Coordinates13.163193°N 80.200367°E / 13.163193; 80.200367
Security classCentral Prison
Capacity3,000
Opened26 November 2006
Managed byTamil Nadu Prison Department
CityChennai
StateTamil Nadu
CountryIndia

Construction

The plan for the construction of Puzhal prison was conceived during the early 2000s. Sites in Puzhal and in Maraimalai Nagar were initially considered, and the final decision to construct at Puzhal was made due to the availability of large parcel of government-owned land.[2] It was constructed by Tamil Nadu Police Housing Corporation (TNPHC) for a cost of ₹ 1,770 million in less than 3 years. It was inaugurated by then chief minister of Tamil Nadu, M. Karunanidhi, on 26 November 2006.[3][4]

Structure and facilities

It is among the largest prison complexes in India.[4] The prison complex occupies an area corresponding to 212 acres (0.86 km2). It comprises three complexes of buildings: Puzhal Prison I for convicts, Puzhal Prison II for remand prisoners and Special Prison for women. A separate enclosure houses civil debtor convicts as well. It has a quarantine to segregate new entrants till medical examination is completed.

The facilities include cells and dormitories with windows, lavatories with doors, meditation hall, library, amphitheatre, auditorium, jail court with video-conferencing facility, mechanised kitchens, high-security blocks with exclusive kitchen and hospital, gym, canteen, public music system, rehabilitation block and separate gallows for men and women prisoners.[5]

Prisoners

The prison became operational since 26 September 2006, and the first batch of prisoners from Chennai Central Prison were transferred on 14 December 2006. The prison has facilities to house 1,250 remand prisoners, 1,250 convicted prisoners and 500 women prisoners.[3]

Notable incidents
  • On 2 August 2008, Solomon, a Grade II warder, was arrested by the Directorate of Vigilance and Anti-Corruption on the charge of taking a bribe of ₹ 8,000, for providing some facilities to a Sri Lankan national lodged in the prison in connection with a fake passport case. He was later dismissed from service on 4 August 2008.[6]
  • On 10 June 2009, notorious criminal "Welding" Kumar was attacked and killed by fellow inmates.[7]
  • On 18 September 2016, Software techie Swathi murder case accused Ramkumar allegedly killed himself by biting a livewire used in a junction box.[8]

See also
  • Chennai Central Prison

References
  1. TN Government
  2. "Land to be disposed of, Central jail moving to Puzhal". The Hindu. 4 January 2003.
  3. "Shifting of prisoners to Puzhal begins". The Hindu. 15 December 2006.
  4. "A comfort prison to reform convicts- 'Model' punishment". The Telegraph. 18 December 2006.
  5. "Puzhal Prison Complex a bold bid to redefine concept of jail". The Hindu. 3 July 2006.
  6. "Prison warder dismissed". The Hindu. 5 August 2008.
  7. "'Welding' Kumar murder: Cops face suspension". News Today. 11 June 2009.
  8. "Swathi murder accused Ramkumar commits suicide in Puzhal Central Prison". Times of India. 18 September 2016.
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