Chandigarh: The Punjab Jails Department has released its Year-End Achievement Report, showcasing a series of reforms that have transformed correctional institutions across the state into centres focused on rehabilitation, stability and modern security. Punjab Jails Minister S. Laljit Singh Bhullar said the Chief Minister S. Bhagwant Singh Mann-led government is committed to promoting humane initiatives, strengthening security through technology-driven solutions and expanding vocational training to help inmates acquire employable skills. He said Punjab’s jails have been redefined this year with clean surroundings and advanced security infrastructure, ensuring inmate safety while creating opportunities for rebuilding lives.
Highlighting key achievements of 2025, the minister said the Punjab Prison Olympics were organised to promote sportsmanship and physical fitness among inmates, while plantation drives have converted several jail premises into green zones, reinforcing the Clean and Green vision. To strengthen infrastructure, a new high-security jail is being constructed at Gorsian Kadarbaksh in Ludhiana at a cost of ₹100 crore, and construction of the Jail Bhawan headquarters is underway in Mohali.
Detailing manpower and security upgrades, Bhullar said 815 warders and 32 matrons have already been recruited, with more recruitments in progress across various ranks, along with the induction of additional PESCO personnel. He added that an extra company of CRPF has been deployed at Central Jail Bathinda and modern security equipment worth ₹126 crore, including AI-based CCTV systems, X-ray scanners, body-worn cameras and high-energy jammers, is being installed. The minister further noted that nine petrol pumps operated by inmates are functional across Punjab and skill development programmes through ITIs in 11 jails aim to provide certified training to nearly 1,016 inmates.
