Chennai: The Tamil Nadu Prison Department has transferred three senior officers across the Central Prisons in Madurai, Salem and Cuddalore, days after a series of inmate escapes raised concerns over prison security in the state.
The transfer order, dated October 31, directs the officers to take charge at their new stations with immediate effect. The changes involve two prison superintendents and one additional superintendent.
The latest reshuffle follows the government’s decision to transfer former Prisons DGP Sandeep Rai Rathore (IPS: 1992: TN) and appoint Additional DGP K Shankar (IPS: 1996: TN) as the head of the Prisons and Correctional Services Department on October 29.
Three Prison Officers Transferred Across Madurai, Salem and Cuddalore
According to the transfer order, the following officers have been reassigned:
- R Krishnaraj: Superintendent of Madurai Central Prison, transferred to Salem Central Prison to fill an existing vacancy.
- A Parasuraman: Superintendent of Cuddalore Central Prison, posted to Madurai in place of Krishnaraj.
- G Vinoth: Additional Superintendent of Salem Central Prison, transferred to Cuddalore to fill the vacancy there.
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The order also lays down temporary arrangements for handing over responsibilities at the three prisons until the officers assume their new positions.
Temporary Charge Arrangements at the Three Prisons
Deputy Inspector General of Prisons, Madurai Range, A Murugesan, will temporarily take charge as Superintendent and Additional Superintendent of Madurai Central Prison until Krishnaraj joins duty in Salem.
The handover arrangements are as follows:
- Madurai: Krishnaraj will hand over charge to Murugesan. Once Parasuraman joins Madurai, Murugesan will transfer the responsibilities to him.
- Salem: Vinoth will hand over charge as Superintendent and Additional Superintendent to Krishnaraj after the latter joins.
- Cuddalore: Parasuraman will hand over charge to Vinoth once Vinoth reports for duty.
The arrangements are intended to ensure continuity of administration during the transfer process.
Transfers Follow Recent Prison Escape Incidents
The latest changes come amid heightened scrutiny of prison security following multiple escape incidents in Tamil Nadu.
On October 20 and 21, two inmates escaped from Puzhal Central Prison in Chennai in separate incidents. Both were subsequently apprehended.
On October 26, 17 undertrial prisoners escaped from Thekkampatti sub-jail in Theni district after allegedly overpowering prison personnel. Police recaptured all 17 within approximately 43 hours. The incident led to the suspension of nine prison personnel.
K Shankar Takes Over as Prisons Chief
Before the latest transfers, the state government had also changed the leadership of the Prisons and Correctional Services Department.
Sandeep Rai Rathore was transferred from the post of DGP (Prisons) and posted as DGP and Chief Vigilance Officer, TANGEDCO, Chennai. K Shankar, who was serving as Additional DGP, Enforcement Bureau-CID, was appointed as the new head of the Prisons and Correctional Services Department.
Shankar assumed charge on October 30.
The successive administrative changes come as Tamil Nadu reviews prison security and supervision following the recent escapes.
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