Jail Security Enhanced: Central and High-Security Prisons Established During LDF Tenures

Thiruvananthapuram: The first Central Jail established after Independence, Kerala’s second open jail, the first open jail for women, the state’s first high -security prison, two regional centres of the SICA (for staff training), 21 district and special jails, around a thousand new posts, revised food menus for inmates, the launch of prison food schemes, employment initiatives, these are among the sweeping reforms carried out in Kerala’s jails during the LDF’s tenures.

Poojappura Central Jail

Those who are now targeting the state government and the Home Department by painting Kerala’s prison system in a bad light, taking cover under the jailbreak by notorious criminal Govindachamy, are conveniently ignoring these achievements.

The opposition, which now expresses concern over prison security, seems to have forgotten the state of Kerala’s jails during their own rule, something the public certainly hasn’t forgotten. After all, it was in a prominent jail in the capital that a “magic trick” occurred, where pages from the diary of the solar scam victim mysteriously “disappeared.”

Central Prison, Kannur

During that period, all three Central Jails, Kannur, Poojappura, and Viyyur, held inmate populations well above their sanctioned capacities. These jails were all established before Independence.

However, in 2010, during the fourth year of its term, the then LDF government decided to build four new prisons. Among these, the Tavanoor Central Jail was one (Malappuram), while the others were district jails at Muttom, Malampuzha, and Kannur. These were built and inaugurated. During the tenure of the V S Achuthanandan government alone, 21 new jails were constructed in Kerala, including a high -security prison in Thrissur.

The demand for an open jail in North Kerala had been pending for decades. Until then, the only open jail was at Nettukaltheri in Thiruvananthapuram. In 2006, the LDF government acquired 306 acres of land in Cheemeni and established an open jail. It was inaugurated in 2007 by then Chief Minister V S Achuthanandan.

The first open jail for women was also established in Thiruvananthapuram. Two new women’s prisons were launched in Kannur and Thrissur during that time. Until then, Neyyattinkara had the state’s only women’s jail, which was later shifted to Attakulangara.

Following the intervention of then Home Minister Kodiyeri Balakrishnan, 557 new posts were sanctioned in the Prisons Department, more than half the existing number at the time. Later, under the 2016–2021 Pinarayi Vijayan- led LDF government, an additional 487 posts were created.

Over a Thousand New Posts

Another major issue facing prisons was the shortage of staff. When the LDF came to power in 2006, there were fewer than 1,000 prison staff members in the state. Following Kodiyeri Balakrishnan’s intervention as Home Minister, 557 new posts were approved. Later, the 2016–2021 LDF government sanctioned 487 more, including 162 posts for the Tavanoor Central Jail.

In contrast, the UDF government, which ruled from 2006 to 2011, created only a few senior positions. One major controversy at the time was the sanctioning of a non -existent Inspector General (IG) post. This was widely seen as a political reward for an officer who secretly visited the solar scam victim and allegedly tampered with her letter. Despite opposition from the Finance Department, then Chief Minister Oommen Chandy sanctioned the post. Later, the LDF government downgraded it to Deputy Inspector General (DIG) level.

‘Freedom Food’ Scheme

The now-popular ‘Freedom Food’ initiative, offering quality meals to the public at low prices, was also launched under the LDF government. It provided both affordable meals for citizens and income for inmates. Fuel stations, beauty parlours, and stitching centres were also opened inside prisons. Under the University Continuing Education scheme, job-oriented education programs were introduced for inmates.

Jails Established by LDF Governments