| Pulhal Central Prison | |
| Pushpin Map: | India Tamil Nadu#India |
| Pushpin Mapsize: | 200px |
| Pushpin Map Caption: | Location in Tamil Nadu |
| Pushpin Label: | Pulhal Central Prison |
| Coordinates: | 13.1632°N 80.2004°W |
| Classification: | Central Prison |
| Capacity: | 3,000 |
| Opened: | 26 November 2006 |
| Managed By: | Tamil Nadu Prison Department |
| State: | Tamil Nadu |
| Country: | India |
Pulhal Central Prison is a central prison complex located in Chennai (Chennai District), India. It is about 23 km from the city centre. The prison became operational from 2006 replacing the erstwhile Chennai Central Prison.[1]
The plan for the construction of Pulhal prison was conceived during the early 2000s. Sites in Pulhal and in Maraimalai Nagar were initially considered, and the final decision to construct at Pulhal was made due to the availability of large parcel of government-owned land.[2] It was constructed by Tamil Nadu Police Housing Corporation (TNPHC) for a cost of 1,770 million in less than 3 years. It was inaugurated by then chief minister of Tamil Nadu, M. Karunanidhi, on 26 November 2006.[3] [4]
It is among the largest prison complexes in India.[4] The prison complex occupies an area corresponding to 212acres. It comprises three complexes of buildings: Pulhal Prison I for convicts, Pulhal Prison II for remand prisoners and Special Prison for women. A separate enclosure houses civil debtor convicts as well. It has a quarantine to segregate new entrants till medical examination is completed.
The facilities include cells and dormitories with windows, lavatories with doors, meditation hall, library, amphitheatre, auditorium, jail court with video-conferencing facility, mechanised kitchens, high-security blocks with exclusive kitchen and hospital, gym, canteen, public music system, rehabilitation block and separate gallows for men and women prisoners.[5]
The prison became operational since 26 September 2006, and the first batch of prisoners from Chennai Central Prison were transferred on 14 December 2006. The prison has facilities to house 1,251 remand prisoners, 1,250 convicted prisoners and 500 women prisoners.[3]
Unmaking of a Monster: A documentary film by Apsara Reddy.[9]