Puzhal Central Prison


Puzhal Central Prison is a central prison complex located in Chennai, India. It is about 23 km from the city centre. The prison became operational from 2006 replacing the erstwhile Chennai Central Prison.

Construction

The plan for the construction of Puzhal prison was conceived during the early 2000s. Sites in Puzhal and in Maraimalai Nagar were initially considered, and the final decision to construct at Puzhal was made due to the availability of large parcel of government-owned land. It was constructed by Tamil Nadu Police Housing Corporation for a cost of 1,770 million in less than 3 years. It was inaugurated by then chief minister of Tamil Nadu, M. Karunanidhi, on 26 November 2006.

Structure and facilities

It is among the largest prison complexes in India. The prison complex occupies an area corresponding to. It comprises three complexes of buildings: Puzhal Prison I for convicts, Puzhal Prison II for remand prisoners and Special Prison for women. A separate enclosure houses civil debtor convicts as well. It has a quarantine to segregate new entrants till medical examination is completed.
The facilities include cells and dormitories with windows, lavatories with doors, meditation hall, library, amphitheatre, auditorium, jail court with video-conferencing facility, mechanised kitchens, high-security blocks with exclusive kitchen and hospital, gym, canteen, public music system, rehabilitation block and separate gallows for men and women prisoners.

Prisoners

The prison became operational since 26 September 2006, and the first batch of prisoners from Chennai Central Prison were transferred on 14 December 2006. The prison has facilities to house 1,250 remand prisoners, 1,250 convicted prisoners and 500 women prisoners.

Notable incidents