CJI Justice Surya Kant to Inaugurate Historic Prison Reform Programme on 6 December 2025 at Central Jail, Patiala Certified Skill Training for 2,500 Inmates Across All 24 Jails of Punjab
Chandigarh, 4 December 2025
In a groundbreaking step towards rehabilitative and restorative justice, the Punjab and Haryana High Court, in partnership with the Punjab Department of Prisons and the Department of Technical Education & Industrial Training, will launch the ambitious initiative “Empowering Lives Behind Bars: Real Change – The New Paradigm of Correctional Justice” on 6 December 2025 at Central Jail, Patiala.
The programme will be formally inaugurated by Hon’ble Chief Justice of India, Mr. Justice Surya Kant, in the distinguished presence of Judges of the Supreme Court of India, Judges of the Punjab and Haryana High Court, and senior officials of the Government of Punjab.
Key Highlights of the Initiative
- 11 full-fledged Industrial Training Institutes (ITIs) will be established inside prison premises.
- 2,500 inmates across all 24 jails of Punjab will receive nationally recognised vocational training under the Punjab Skill Development Mission.
- Long-term NCVT-certified courses in high-demand trades: Welding, Electrician, Plumbing & Solar Technology, Sewing Technology, Cosmetology, Computer Operator & Programming Assistant (COPA), and Bakery & Confectionery.
- Short-term NSQF-aligned courses including Tailoring, Jute & Bag Making, Bakery, Plumbing, Mushroom Cultivation, Computer Hardware, and more.
- Training delivered by certified faculty in modern workshops, with a monthly stipend of ₹1,000 and NCVET/NSQF certification upon completion.
Strong Post-Release Reintegration Support
- Continued training at Government ITIs after release
- Placement assistance through District Bureau of Employment & Enterprises (DBEE)
- Access to MSME schemes and startup support
- Counselling services and issuance of Good Conduct Certificates
Hands-on experience will be provided through existing and upgraded jail factories in carpentry, tailoring, welding, bakery, and fabrication.
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Complementary Reforms Already Underway in Punjab Jails
- Operational petrol pumps in 9 jails (generating revenue and practical training)
- Regular sports, yoga, and wellness programmes
- Prison Inmate Calling System (PICS) and community radio Radio Ujala
- Platforms for art, music, and creative expression
Simultaneous Launch: Statewide Anti-Drug Campaign
On the same day, the Punjab State Legal Services Authority will launch the month-long campaign “Youth Against Drugs” (6 December 2025 – 6 January 2026), also inaugurated by the Hon’ble Chief Justice of India. The campaign aims to mobilise schools, colleges, communities, and institutions for drug prevention through awareness drives, legal literacy, and rehabilitation outreach.
These twin initiatives mark a transformative shift from punitive to rehabilitative justice, restoring dignity to inmates, equipping them with marketable skills, and contributing to a safer, drug-free Punjab.
From custody to capability — Punjab prisons are becoming centres of hope and second chances.
