Thiruvananthapuram: The state needs an additional central jail as the number of prisoners in the state continues to increase, home minister Ramesh Chennithala said on Tuesday.After a discussion with deputy inspectors general of prisons and other prison officials, the home minister told reporters that the govt would initiate steps for comprehensive prison reforms and strengthen the state’s correctional system.Chennithala said Kerala’s prisons are witnessing a steady rise in the inmate population, making it necessary to consider establishing another central jail in the state. He said the govt was examining measures to improve prison infrastructure and ensure that facilities keep pace with growing requirements.The minister said prisons in Kerala function as correctional institutions aimed at reforming inmates and helping them return to society as responsible citizens. He said the govt’s approach was to strengthen rehabilitation and correctional measures while improving prison administration.Chennithala said the prison department was moving ahead on the path of modernisation. As part of these efforts, video conferencing facilities would be implemented across all prisons in the state, enabling smoother conduct of official procedures and improving administrative efficiency.He said discussions were held on implementing wide-ranging reforms in the prison sector and on measures required for the overall modernisation of jails. The govt would move forward with a comprehensive reform agenda covering infrastructure, administration and inmate welfare, he added.Chennithala said the discussions with senior prison officials focused on the future requirements of the state’s prison system and the steps needed to address emerging challenges arising from the increasing number of inmates.
