Prisons must evolve into centres of reform: Guv

Metro India News | Hyderabad 

Governor Shiv Pratap Shukla said that social progress requires not only punishment but also reform, and that prisons must transform from being mere centres of incarceration into institutions that foster introspection, personality development and new beginnings.

The Governor on Tuesday made these remarks after inaugurating the “Feel the Jail” experiential programme and the Jail Museum at the State Institute of Correctional Administration (SICA), Chanchalguda, in Hyderabad.

During his visit, he inspected the specially designed “Feel the Jail” cells, intended to offer visitors a firsthand understanding of prison life and the realities of incarceration.

The Governor later inaugurated the Jail Museum and toured its various sections, which depict the history and evolution of the prison system. The exhibits included displays on prisons during the Nizam era, the contribution of prisoners to the construction of the Nagarjuna Sagar Dam, model prison cells associated with noted personalities such as Dasarathi Krishnamacharyulu and Kancherla Gopanna (Bhakta Ramadasu), as well as initiatives aimed at prisoner rehabilitation, prison industries, and the achievements of the department.

The Governor also reviewed products manufactured by inmates and watched a documentary titled “Valmiki”, which highlighted reformative measures being undertaken to encourage positive behavioural transformation among prisoners.

Addressing the gathering, Shukla said the inauguration of the Jail Museum represented not merely the opening of a new facility, but a significant milestone in the State’s journey towards a more humane and reform-oriented justice system.

"While the display of old chains and prison cells reminded visitors of the harsh penal systems of the past, the emphasis on skill development and prison-made products reflected a meaningful shift “from retribution to transformation,” he observed.

The Governor said the true character of a progressive society is reflected in the sensitivity and responsibility with which it seeks to reform those who have erred, adding that prisoner rehabilitation is a moral responsibility of society.

The Governor congratulated Dr. Soumya Mishra and other officials of the department for conceptualising and implementing the initiative. He expressed confidence that the Jail Museum would emerge not only as a tourist attraction, but also as a significant platform for education, research and public awareness.