‘Most prisoners there due to circumstances’: TN CM Vijay visits Puzhal jail

CHENNAI: Inmates of Puzhal Central Prison in Chennai had a special visitor on Friday—chief minister C Joseph Vijay.After interacting with some of them, Vijay told the authorities to provide the inmates opportunities for rehabilitation, education and vocational training based on their interests. He stressed the importance of reading, and asked officials to ensure that prisoners get enough books.A prison official said Vijay was sympathetic of the inmates. “He said most prisoners were there because of their circumstances. He drew a distinction between an unintentional mistake and a deliberate wrongdoing, and asked us to create opportunities for inmates to reform,” the official said.The chief minister, accompanied by senior prison officials, inspected three sections of the prison complex that houses undertrial prisoners, convicts and women prisoners. He asked some inmates about the facilities.