All India Prison Duty Meet opens in Hyderabad with focus on reforms and technology

The Telangana Governor Jishnu Dev Varma declared the 7th All India Prison Duty Meet open at the RBVRR Telangana Police Academy in Hyderabad on Tuesday (September 9, 2025) by lighting the ceremonial torch that will remain lit for the three-day meet.

Addressing the gathering, the Governor said the event was “more than a competition, it is a festival of discipline, duty and dedication.” He added, “Correctional officers carry one of the toughest responsibilities — balancing safety with compassion and firmness with reformation. The inclusion of a technology expo this year highlights the progress being made in modernisation, security, vocational training and welfare activities.”

Mr. Varma noted that Telangana had taken progressive steps in correctional reforms, recalling the premature release of 231 prisoners on Republic Day last year for good conduct. “Importantly, rehabilitation follows release. Some prisoners found dignified employment in fuel outlets of the department while women were supported with sewing machines to begin afresh. The sanction of new posts in Sangareddy and Nizamabad Central prisons and the readiness of a modern district jail in Siddipet testify to the State’s commitment to both infrastructure and human resources,” he said.

Ravi Joseph Lokku, Additional Director General of the Bureau of Police Research and Development (BPR&D), said the Bureau was playing a crucial role in strengthening correctional administration across the country. “We have conducted different kinds of capacity building training in various States, and a National Prison Training Policy is being prepared in line with the Capacity Building Commission,” he said.

Mr. Lokku highlighted the adoption of the 2023 Model Correctional Services Act by several States, adding that a manual on technology adoption was in place. The BPR&D is also actively involved in developing high-security prisons for sensitive inmates, he said.

Telangana Director General of Police Jitender highlighted the strides made by the State in correctional reforms, stressing the need for professionalism and empathy in prison administration. “It is very important that whoever enters the prison is dealt with in a professional manner. Even though these individuals are in conflict with the law, every prisoner is first and foremost a human being. They must be treated with dignity, and we must always recognise that there is scope for improvement,” he said.

Soumya Mishra, Director General of Telangana Prisons and Correctional Services, said this edition of the meet had drawn the largest participation in its history. Over 1,300 participants from 21 states and three Union Territories are taking part in the duty meet.

“For the first time in the history of the All India Prisons Duty Meet, a technology expo has been introduced featuring state-of-the-art solutions such as AI-driven surveillance systems, drones, scanners, contraband detection technologies, robotics and information management software. Moreover, prison-made products from various States have also been put on display,” she said.

The three-day event will see personnel competing in 36 professional, sporting and fine arts events, ranging from first aid and computer knowledge to volleyball, kabaddi, athletics, dance, music and painting. Telangana is hosting the meet for the second time, having earlier organised it in 2015.