The Tamil Nadu government has significantly increased its commitment to prison reforms, doubling the budget allocation for the sector from ₹5 crore to ₹10 crore, Minister for Natural Resources S. Regupathy announced on Wednesday. The announcement was made during the second day of the Tamil Nadu Legislative Assembly session, where the minister, who oversees Courts, Prisons, Prevention of Corruption, and Minerals and Mines, detailed ongoing and planned initiatives to improve living conditions for police personnel, modernize correctional facilities, and ensure better infrastructure across the prison system.

Responding to a question from Pattali Makkal Katchi (PMK) MLA R. Arul, Regupathy explained that the government was aware of the poor condition of several residential quarters for prison staff within the Salem Central Prison premises. “Of the total 223 residential quarters, 89 were constructed before 1980 and are currently uninhabitable due to structural deterioration. The remaining 134 quarters, built between 2001 and 2024, have undergone maintenance works costing ₹18 lakh in the last three years,” he said.

However, MLA Arul pointed out that ₹18 lakh was insufficient to maintain and repair such a large number of housing units, suggesting that a higher allocation was necessary. In response, Regupathy acknowledged the limitation and assured that the government would consider demolishing the oldest and most damaged buildings to make way for new housing facilities once adequate funds become available. “Fifty of the 89 old apartments are currently lying vacant. We plan to demolish these and construct new residential units in their place as part of the ongoing prison reforms,” he said.

The minister further clarified that the Tamil Nadu government had initially earmarked ₹5 crore for prison reforms but decided to double the amount to ₹10 crore considering inflation, the rising cost of materials, and the growing need to improve correctional infrastructure. He added that the Tamil Nadu Police Housing Corporation would play a key role in implementing the construction and maintenance plans. “Based on the recommendations of the Police Housing Corporation, we will take up new housing projects and upgrade existing facilities,” he stated.

During the same session, DMK MLA S. Inigo Irudayaraj raised the issue of the women’s prison in his constituency, asking whether the government had plans to shift it to a new location equipped with improved facilities. Regupathy replied that the process was already underway. “The district administration is in the process of identifying suitable land for relocation. Once the land is acquired, we will take the necessary steps to move the women’s prison to a new, better-equipped facility,” he said, emphasizing the government’s commitment to ensuring safety and dignity for female inmates.

The discussion highlighted the government’s broader strategy to modernize Tamil Nadu’s prison infrastructure, improve staff living conditions, and upgrade facilities to meet contemporary standards. The increased funding, officials said, would also support digitalization efforts, enhanced security measures, and rehabilitation programs aimed at reforming inmates and reducing recidivism.

In another part of the Assembly session, Virugambakkam MLA A. M. V. Prabhakara Raja of the DMK raised concerns about dilapidated buildings in his constituency. He urged the government to consider constructing a multi-purpose commercial complex at Ward 136 on Dr. P. T. Rajan Salai, where the existing structures were in poor condition.

Responding to this, Minister for Housing, Prohibition and Excise S. Muthusamy acknowledged the issue but indicated that a final decision would require consultation with relevant authorities. “In 2013, an order was issued for the construction of a residential building at the same location. Given this, there are some doubts about the feasibility of building a new multi-purpose commercial complex there. However, after consulting the concerned departments, appropriate measures will be taken,” Muthusamy said.

The exchanges during Wednesday’s session reflected the state government’s focus on balancing reform with practicality. While several MLAs called for new construction projects and infrastructure improvements, ministers emphasized the importance of proper assessment, financial planning, and inter-departmental coordination before moving forward.

The Tamil Nadu government has recently been prioritizing infrastructure renewal across various public institutions, including police housing, correctional facilities, and administrative buildings. Officials have said that the increased allocation for prison reforms will not only address the physical state of prisons but also help implement programs related to inmate education, vocational training, and psychological counseling.

Prison reforms have been a longstanding issue in Tamil Nadu, where many correctional facilities date back to the colonial era and suffer from overcrowding and poor maintenance. Over the years, successive governments have initiated steps to decongest prisons, introduce modern surveillance systems, and improve healthcare services for inmates. However, budgetary constraints and infrastructural challenges have often delayed implementation.

With the latest move to double the budget allocation, the state government aims to expedite these efforts. Officials from the Department of Prisons and Correctional Administration have said that the new funds will be directed toward both physical infrastructure and welfare measures for inmates and staff.

Analysts note that this announcement aligns with Tamil Nadu’s broader approach toward governance, emphasizing human welfare and modernization in public service sectors. The decision to raise prison reform funding also reflects a recognition that correctional facilities play a crucial role in the justice system and social rehabilitation.

As the session concluded, the ministers reiterated that projects like new housing within prison campuses, relocation of outdated facilities, and the creation of new multi-purpose complexes would be implemented in a phased manner. Each project, they said, would follow detailed assessments and consultations to ensure efficient use of public funds.

The focus now shifts to how effectively the Tamil Nadu government can translate these allocations into tangible improvements on the ground—especially in areas where dilapidated infrastructure and overcrowded housing continue to affect the daily lives of police personnel and inmates alike.