In a significant step towards prison reform, the Punjab and Haryana High Court, in partnership with the Chandigarh administration, is launching transformative skill development initiatives at Model Jail in Burail. The programs are designed to reshape correctional justice by focusing on inmate rehabilitation and vocational training.
Virtual Inauguration by Chief Justice of India
The initiative will be inaugurated virtually by the Chief Justice of India, Justice Surya Kant, on December 6. The function will be hosted at the district jail in Gurugram. The event will see the presence of Supreme Court judges Justice Rajesh Bindal and Justice Augustine George Masih, along with Chief Justice Sheel Nagu and other judges from the High Court.
Empowering Inmates with Industry-Ready Skills
Operating under the theme ‘Empowering Lives Behind Bars: The New Paradigm of Correctional Justice', the program's core mission is to equip inmates with practical skills, dignity, and opportunities for successful reintegration into society. A dedicated Industrial Training Institute (ITI) named ‘Jeevan Dhara’ has been established inside Model Jail, Burail.
This ITI will offer vocational courses certified by the National Council for Vocational Education and Training (NCVET), directly enhancing the employability of inmates after their release. For the 2025–26 academic session, two one-year certificate courses have been introduced:
- Sewing Technology
- Woodwork Technician
Plans are already underway to expand the curriculum to include more ITI and diploma programs in fields such as computer engineering, welding, plumbing, electrician training, and cosmetology.
Month-Long War on Drugs Launched Simultaneously
In a parallel move, CJI Surya Kant will also launch a month-long Anti-Drug Awareness Campaign titled "Mission – Youth Against Drugs" from December 6 to January 6. This campaign will be led by Justice Deepak Sibal, the Executive Chairman of the UT Chandigarh State Legal Services Authority.
The campaign aims to combat the rising menace of drug abuse through comprehensive community outreach, legal awareness drives, and coordinated efforts involving lawyers, doctors, police, and educational institutions. It will be guided by focused themes like "Awareness Begins at Home & School" and "Rise of Responsible Youth," seeking to inspire collective action for a safer, drug-free future.
These twin initiatives mark a proactive shift in the judicial and administrative approach, focusing on prevention through awareness and rehabilitation through empowerment, aiming to build a more just and secure society.
