Tamil Nadu Law Minister R. Nirmalkumar during an inspection at the Central Prison in Puzhal
| Photo Credit: Special Arrangement

Tamil Nadu Minister for Law R. Nirmalkumar, on Sunday (May 24, 2026), said the modernisation of prison administration is the need of the hour and the State government will take all necessary measures to gradually implement it, including the adoption of digital technologies.

Speaking to journalists after inspecting the Central Prison at Puzhal near Chennai, the Minister said measures would be taken to simplify and strengthen the screening process for visitors coming to meet inmates through adoption of digital technologies and to ensure that no prohibited items, including narcotic substances, are smuggled into prisons.

He said an inspection was conducted regarding the equipment required for hospitals and other basic amenities such as drinking water supply required for 1,500 inmates lodged in Puzhal Central Prison. Many remand prisoners continue to remain in prison beyond the stipulated period, and the Law Department would explore the possibilities of extending legal aid to them, he said.

He said inspections would continue in all central prisons and other prisons in Tamil Nadu, and the requirements of the respective prisons would be taken into consideration.

He also said in both the Electricity and Prisons departments, instructions had been given to avoid unnecessary administrative transfers. He said as per rules routine transfers of officials who had worked for certain years in a particular position, and punishment transfers with proper notes would continue, while unnecessary administrative transfers would be avoided.

Published – May 24, 2026 04:20 pm IST