Strict searches make Parappana Agrahara free of banned items

Bengaluru: Parappana Agrahara Central Prison, which was once frequently in the news over the recovery of contraband, has been declared free of prohibited items by the Department of Prisons and Correctional Services.

The Bengaluru prison had earlier witnessed the seizure of ganja, tobacco products, beedis and cigarettes during inspections. The repeated recovery of such materials had become a source of concern and embarrassment for the prison administration.

The department attributed the change to sustained inspections and tighter enforcement. Director General of Police (Prisons) Alok Kumar had directed officials to intensify searches and prevent illegal activities within the prison. The latest inspections reportedly found no banned articles, leading to the declaration that the facility was prohibited-items-free.

Alongside security measures, the prison administration has introduced initiatives aimed at changing the outlook of inmates. The roads within the prison have been renamed Parivarthana Patha, Sudharana Patha and Nava Sankalpa Patha. The names underline the message that imprisonment should also provide an opportunity for personal transformation.

Six convicted prisoners who participated in a drama organised for Kannada Rajyotsava have been granted 30 days’ remission in their sentences. The performance was part of the prison’s rehabilitation programme.

The department has also announced incentives for inmates who follow prison rules and stay away from prohibited substances for an entire year. Such prisoners will be provided canteen facilities and allowed four special family visits during the year to mark occasions such as their children’s birthdays, wedding anniversaries and birthdays of close blood relatives.

For the first time, a state-level sports meet was organised for prison officers and staff, with participants divided into northern, southern and Bengaluru zones. Competitions included 100-metre and 50-metre backward races, badminton, tennis, kabaddi, volleyball and throwball.

Prisoners also staged ‘Shani Prabhava’, a mythological and socially relevant play created and performed by inmates.

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