Haryana has launched an ambitious reform initiative aimed at reshaping the correctional system by integrating formal education and vocational training inside its jails. The project, which includes the establishment of a fully functional polytechnic and multiple ITI centres across major prisons, marks a significant step toward enabling inmates to rebuild their lives with dignity and employable skills after release.
A transformative shift: Polytechnic and ITIs reshape prison learning and rehabilitation
Haryana’s prison system is undergoing a major transformation as the state expands structured education programmes for inmates on an unprecedented scale. The most notable development is the establishment of a Polytechnic Centre inside Gurugram Jail, which has now become operational and is aligned with national technical education norms. The centre follows AICTE standards and offers a three-year diploma in Computer Engineering, opening a formal pathway for inmates to pursue recognised higher education even while serving sentences. The first batch includes twenty-eight inmates who have already begun classes, and formal AICTE approval is expected by January 2026, giving the programme nationwide credibility.
Alongside the polytechnic, Haryana has set up ITIs across five major jails—Ambala, Gurugram, Faridabad, Panipat and Karnal—marking one of the largest vocational expansions in the state’s correctional system. These centres are approved by NCVET, ensuring that the certifications inmates receive hold value in the wider job market. With 256 inmates enrolled in the first cycle, classes officially began on 11 September 2025. The ITIs offer twelve trades that are both industry-relevant and employment-oriented, including COPA, Welder, Electrician, Dress Making, Plumbing and Wood Work Technician. Each jail has dedicated classrooms, equipped workshops, trained instructors and a structured academic timetable to mirror mainstream training institutions.
Officials report that attendance and participation in the initial weeks have been promising, indicating a strong willingness among inmates to engage in productive skill-building activities. This shift marks a conscious policy move from confinement to constructive engagement, ensuring that inmates are not simply serving time but preparing for a viable future after release.
In parallel with long-term courses, the Prisons Department is also offering short-term training programmes to widen access to skill development. A total of 633 inmates across 18 jails have completed these shorter courses. Certificates are being issued through Vishwakarma University, Gurugram, giving the programmes external validation. For inmates in Gurugram Jail, the certificates are expected to be formally handed over on 6 December 2025 during a scheduled visit by the Chief Justice of India, an event that underscores the importance of the reform effort at the highest institutional levels.
These educational and skill-development initiatives signal a philosophical shift in how the state views incarceration—not merely as punishment, but as an opportunity for rehabilitation. Education is increasingly seen as the foundation for ensuring that inmates can re-enter society as contributors rather than returning to the cycles of crime that may have initially shaped their lives.
The state’s leadership emphasises that these reforms are not cosmetic but designed to fundamentally change the lives of prisoners. The effort is grounded in the belief that structured education reduces recidivism, creates pathways to stable livelihoods, and strengthens family and community reintegration after release. Haryana’s model seeks to align correctional objectives with a broader vision of social reintegration.
Beyond formal education, the initiative aims to address social perception. Many inmates come from backgrounds marked by social stigma, limited education and restricted economic opportunities. The department believes that transforming prisons into learning spaces not only benefits inmates but also encourages society to rethink its approach to crime, punishment and the possibility of change.
Expanding support networks, partnerships and addressing operational challenges across Haryana’s prisons
In addition to education, Haryana’s correctional reforms emphasise post-release rehabilitation. To ensure that inmates have support after leaving prison, the Prisons Department has signed an MoU with Haryana Kaushal Rojgar Nigam Limited (HKRNL). This partnership seeks to match released inmates with job opportunities in both government and private sectors. By connecting trained individuals to real employment avenues, the department aims to significantly improve reintegration outcomes. More partnerships with industry groups are being planned to widen the employment ecosystem and reduce barriers faced by former inmates in the job market.
The government is also introducing Good Conduct Certificates for inmates who complete training and demonstrate discipline. These certificates are intended to help them secure employment more easily, providing potential employers with an officially recognised record of positive behaviour and effort. The initiative seeks to counteract the negative bias that often prevents former prisoners from obtaining stable work, a factor that is closely tied to the likelihood of reoffending.
During a recent interaction with reporters, DG Prisons Alok Roy discussed the broader objectives behind these reforms. He stressed the need to shift societal attitudes toward crime and criminals. Highlighting the growing influence of online content that glamorises gangster lifestyles, Roy said the department aims to counteract this “reel culture” by presenting more realistic narratives. According to him, many young people are unaware of the trauma, hardship and instability faced by families caught in cycles of crime, including those of inmates. By facilitating educational and developmental initiatives in jails, the department hopes to send a message that transformation is possible and that crime is not a sustainable path.
Addressing public questions on other sensitive matters, Roy clarified the department’s role in decisions related to parole and furlough, particularly in high-profile cases such as that of Ram Rahim. He explained that while the Prisons Department implements the conditions attached to such decisions, the authority for granting parole or furlough lies with other bodies. He emphasised that the department’s involvement is limited and procedural.
Roy also responded to concerns about a complaint involving Sushil, a gunman linked to Y Puran. He said the inmate had been moved from Rohtak to Ambala Jail due to a perceived threat. After reviewing the matter, officials found no current threat, and Roy asserted that the situation had been resolved. These clarifications reflect the department’s efforts to maintain transparency in security-related decisions and ensure the safety of inmates inside facilities.
In another incident attracting public attention, the DG discussed a serious case from Karnal Jail, where an inmate had swallowed 250 drug tablets that were hidden inside a balloon. The inmate was found under the influence during medical examination, and officials quickly intervened. All tablets were later recovered, confirming that the act was a clear attempt to smuggle contraband into the facility. Roy noted that such incidents highlight the ongoing challenge of curbing drug trafficking attempts inside prisons, even as the department focuses on reform and rehabilitation.
Despite these challenges, the overall direction of Haryana’s prison reforms is firmly oriented toward creating structured opportunities for growth, learning and reintegration. The state is increasingly using education as a tool to transform correctional spaces and demonstrate that rehabilitation is not only possible but necessary for long-term social stability. By investing in advanced training infrastructure, forming partnerships with educational institutions and employers, and prioritising humane and forward-looking policies, Haryana aims to build a correctional system that supports transformation at every level.
