Frequently Asked Questions :

• Is celebration of Special Occasion permitted ?

On special occasions like Deepavali, Christmas, Ramzan festivals and other National functions, voluntary and non-Governmental organizations are permitted by the Government to supply sweets and special diet cooked in the Prison to the prisoners. Special diet is also being given at Government cost on Pongal and Independence days.

• Is Education permitted ?

Yes. All needy prisoners' are permitted to study higher education through correspondence course conducted by various universities at Government cost with all the required facilities. Every Central Prison has an Elementary School with qualified Teachers and Adult Education is imparted to them so that they can read and write. Computer training is also imparted to the prisoners in Prison through universities and N.G.O's.

• Under what circumstances Prison Certificate is issued ?


The prisoners involved in Freedom struggle, language struggle against imposition of Hindi or for the cause of Tamil are given certificates of their imprisonment for getting Government pension.

• Can the public visit Prisons ?

The Public are not permitted to visit the Prisons but the relatives of the prisoners can interview them as per rules.

• What is the role of N.G.O.s in Prisons ?

The N.G.O. plays a role to impart vocational training, education etc to the prisoners inside the prison for their rehabilitation after release, to provide welfare and education to the children of the prisoners and also to help pre-release arrangements of the prisoners for their effective rehabilitation. The N.G.O.s willing to participate in the above rehabilitation programmes may contact the Additional Director General of Prisons.

• What is the recruitment procedure for Tamil Nadu Jail Service ?

The recruitment procedure for Tamil Nadu Jail Service is as follows :

Category	Recruiting Agency	Minimum Qualification
Grade II Warder	Tamil Nadu Uniformed Services Recruitment Board	+2 Pass
Assistant Jailor	Tamil Nadu Public Service Commission	A recognised University degree
Jailor	Tamil Nadu Public Service Commission/by Recruitment by transer from the post of DeputyJailor	A recognised University degree

The candidates have to satisfy certain minimum physical standards.

• On what occasions prisoners can be sent outside ?

The prisoners are sent on leave so as to attend their important and urgent family exigencies.

• Whether a child can be allowed with the mother ?

The children up to the age of 6 accompanying the mothers are allowed in the prisons. Crèche is also available in each of the women Prisons to look after the needs of the children. Above six years they are sent to their relations or Bala Mandir for their further maintenance..

• Whether pre-release programme is arranged ?

A proper arranged pre-release programme is arranged by the reception committee so as to rehabilitate the prisoner on his release. Necessary financial assistance in the form of machinery cattle etc., is arranged through Probation Officer with the help of N.G.O.s, Nationalized Banks and financial assistance is extended by Government also to start petty trade and other self employment.

• What is the role of Prisoners' Adalat ?

The role of Prisoners Adalat is to ensure speedy justice to remand and under trial prisoners and to reduce the prison population.

• What is the role of Legal Aid cell ?

The role of legal aid cell functioning in Prison is to provide legal assistance to the poor and indigent prisoners to get bail, arrange surety and also to defend their cases in the courts.

Glossary (Legal and Judicial) :

• Prison

Any jail or place used permanently or temporarily under the general or special orders of a State Government for the detention of prisoners, and includes all lands and building appurtenant thereto, but does not include.

1. any place for the confinement of prisoners who are exclusively in the custody of the police;
2. any place specially appointed by the State Government under section 541 of the Code of Criminal Procedure 1882: or
3. any place which has been declared by the State Government , by general or special order, to be a subsidiary jail;
• Remission System

The rules for the time being in force regulating the award of remission of sentence so as to shorten the sentences of, prisoners in jails.

• Prohibited article

Any article introduced or removed into or out of a prison is prohibited by the rules of prison.

• Prisoner

Any person duly committed to custody under the writ, warrant or order of any court or competent authority exercising criminal or civil or revenue jurisdiction including any of the houses of Parliament or State Legislature.

• Adolescent Prisoner

Any person

1. who has been convicted of any offence punishable with imprisonment or who having been ordered to give security under section 117, Code of Criminal Procedure 1973 ( Central Act 2 of 1974) has failed to do so and who at the time of such conviction or failure to give security, is not less than 16 years in the case of boy and not less than 18 years in the case of a girl but not more than 21 years of age in both cases
2. who has been committed to prison custody during the pendency of his trial and who at the time of commitment, is not less than 16 years nor more than 21 years of age.
• Adult Prisoner

Any prisoner who is more than 21 years of age.

• Civil Prisoner

Any prisoner who is not a criminal prisoner

• Casual Prisoner

A convicted Criminal prisoner other than a habitual prisoner.

• Convicted criminal prisoner

Any criminal prisoner under sentence of a Court or Court – martial, and includes a person detained in prison under the provisions of Chapter VIII of the code of Criminal Procedure 1882 or under the Prisoners Act, 1871

• Detenue

Any person detained under the various detentions Act such as the conservation of foreign exchange and prevention of smuggling activities Act 1974 (Central Act 52 of 1974, Prevention of illicit traffic in Narcotic drugs and Psychotropic Substances Act 1988, The National Security Act. 1980, Tamil Nadu prevention of Dangerous Activities of Bootleggers, Drug offenders, Goondas, Immoral Traffic Offenders and Slum- grabbers act, 1982 (Tamil Nadu Act 14 of 1982).

• Remand Prisoner

A person who has been remanded to prison custody pending investigation by the Police for trial by the Court for whom charge sheet is yet to be filed.

• Under trial Prisoner

A person who has been committed to prison custody pending trial by the court for whom a charge sheet has been filed.

• Leave

A short or long leave granted to the Prisoners to visit his home to attend his family exigencies.