Telangana Prisons Record Major Reforms And Digital Progress
Hyderabad, Jan. 12 (Maxim News): Telangana Prisons Department recorded major reforms in 2025 with strong progress in technology adoption, prisoner rehabilitation, and staff welfare, Director General of Prisons Dr Soumya Mishra said on Monday.
Soumya Mishra released the annual report of the department and outlined key achievements during the year. Dr Soumya Mishra said total prison admissions rose by 11.8 percent in 2025. Cybercrime cases increased by 135.6 percent, while drunken driving cases rose by 152 percent.
However, she noted that the number of foreign prisoners declined, which marked a positive trend.
Soumya Mishra said court production witnessed a major transformation. In 2025, prisons conducted 69.47 percent of court hearings through video conferencing. As a result, security risks reduced, costs fell, and access to justice improved significantly.
The Director General said the legal aid system strengthened across the state. Telangana currently has 155 legal aid advocates and 47 paralegal volunteers serving prisoners.
Through jail adalats, authorities released 985 inmates. She added that Telangana ranked first in the country in implementing the bail assistance scheme for poor prisoners.
Dr Soumya Mishra said rehabilitation remains the core focus of the department. During 2025, authorities provided skill development training to 79 percent of convicted prisoners.
Prison industries helped inmates earn over Rs 1.63 crore in wages. She said Telangana remains the only state offering interest free loans to prisoners.
Soumya Mishra highlighted several innovative initiatives introduced for the first time in the country.
These include de addiction centres, sentence planning systems, waste to wealth projects, beekeeping, and agarbatti production from flowers.
On healthcare, she said authorities conducted mandatory medical examinations for every prisoner.
In 2025, prisons performed 379 surgeries, several specialised treatments, and 13 medical camps.
Soumya Mishra added that 6,597 prisoners participated in International Yoga Day celebrations.
Dr Soumya Mishra said the department invested heavily in digital modernisation. Under CJS 2.0, prisons procured electronic equipment worth Rs 2.5 crore.
Authorities also set up an IT cell, launched the Swagatham portal, upgraded the prisons website, implemented e office systems, and introduced biometric attendance.
She said infrastructure development also progressed steadily. The Siddipet district jail and new barracks were completed.
Proposals for a high security prison and a National Prison Academy were sent to the government.
On staff welfare, she said the department implemented health insurance, loans, improved pay packages, and sports activities.
Dr Soumya Mishra said the department received a Skoch Award for excellence in prisoner rehabilitation.
Central Prison Cherlapally won a gold medal as the cleanest prison in the country.
Telangana also secured the overall championship at the seventh All India Prison Duty Meet. She said Chief Minister Revanth Reddy congratulated the department for its achievements. (Maxim News)
Now you can get the latest stories from Indtoday on Telegram every day. Click the link to subscribe. Click to follow Indtoday’s Facebook page, Twitter, and Instagram. For all the latest Hyderabad News updates
