Chennai: Tamil Nadu overhauled its prison leave framework by formally allowing well-behaved long-term convicts to spend up to 60 days a year on furlough outside prison, with the period counted as part of the sentence served.Under the new Tamil Nadu Prisons (Release on Furlough) Rules, 2026, the Director General of Prisons can sanction furlough of up to 60 days annually, while the State govt can extend it by another 60 days in exceptional cases aimed at rehabilitation.Earlier, TN did not have a dedicated furlough law, and temporary release was considered as ordinary or emergency leave, usually granted in shorter spells and often requiring separate govt orders or court intervention.The measure is expected to ease anxiety and stress among long-term inmates by allowing them to reconnect with families after years of incarceration. “This kind of a govt-approved break reduces anxiety among inmates and, after returning to prison, they are usually more cautious and avoid trouble to ensure they do not lose future parole,” said S Ramachandran, a retired prisons deputy inspector general.Additionally, the new rules introduce a clear eligibility threshold by allowing only convicts who completed at least 10 years in prison and maintained satisfactory conduct to apply for furlough. Each application will now be assessed individually based on the nature of the offence, past criminal history, prison behaviour, and compliance during any earlier temporary releases.Certain categories of prisoners are expressly barred, including those convicted of rape, Pocso offences, serious NDPS (drug) cases, crimes affecting national security, foreign nationals, and inmates involved in grave prison offences such as riots or escape attempts in the past five years.The application process is also streamlined with fixed timelines, requiring prison authorities to seek police and probation reports on safety, risk of absconding, and local impact before forwarding proposals. The rules also empower authorities to revoke furlough at any stage and arrest prisoners without warrant in case of violation or overstay.
