Cherlapalli prison development reviewed by DG

Hyderabad: Director General of Prisons and Correctional Services Dr Soumya Mishra, IPS, reviewed key Cherlapalli prison development projects on Monday, inspecting infrastructure, environmental and skill development initiatives aimed at strengthening prisoner rehabilitation and sustainable development.

The Director General began her visit by inspecting the ongoing Cherlapalli Lake Restoration Project, which is being implemented jointly by the Telangana Prisons Department and HYDRAA with financial assistance under the Corporate Social Responsibility (CSR) initiative of Indian Oil Corporation Limited. She appreciated the progress of the restoration work and directed officials to install solar lighting at dark spots along the walking pathway to improve safety and accessibility.

Dr Mishra later visited the Prisoners’ Agricultural Colony (PAC), Cherlapalli, where she reviewed the progress of the Swami Vivekananda Vanam project. She also inspected the proposed site for a new multipurpose hall and stressed the importance of expanding green spaces that promote environmental sustainability and improve the well-being of inmates.

At Central Prison, Cherlapalli, the Director General inspected prison industries and production units. She interacted with inmates engaged in vocational activities and encouraged them to continue upgrading their skills, saying vocational training plays a vital role in rehabilitation and successful reintegration into society.

Government ITI to strengthen Cherlapalli prison development

The Director General also reviewed the ongoing work to establish a Government Industrial Training Institute (ITI) within the Central Prison campus. The proposed institute will provide industry-oriented technical and vocational education, nationally recognised certifications and market-relevant skills to improve prisoners’ employability after their release.

During the inspection, Harichandana Dasari, IAS, Secretary to Government, Labour, Employment, Training and Factories Department, along with senior officials from the Factories and Industries departments, reviewed preparations for operationalising the institute.

Inspector General of Prisons N. Muralibabu, Deputy Inspector General Dr D. Srinivas, Central Prison Superintendent G. Pramod and Prisoners’ Agricultural Colony Superintendent D. Bharath accompanied the Director General throughout the inspection.

Speaking on the occasion, Dr Soumya Mishra said the Telangana Prisons Department was committed to transforming correctional institutions into centres of environmental stewardship, innovation, skill development and rehabilitation. She said initiatives such as lake restoration, green campus development, prison industries and the Government ITI reflected the department’s vision of equipping inmates with employable skills and supporting their meaningful reintegration into society.