News – Page 2 – Prism Trust

September 26, 2023 prismchennaiindia@gmail.com No Comments

Legal awareness program at Trichy

The District Legal Services Authority (DLSA) provides free and competent legal aid in the form of counseling and legal advice, as well as free legal services for cases presented in court. DLSA Advocates can be approached for assistance with any case, and their services are available to everyone. DLSA legal services are provided at no cost and aim to ensure justice for all. The Advocates assist prisoners by contacting their families and following up on their cases. Prisoners can seek help from various legal services and authorities within the prison, including the Welfare Officer, Psychologist, and Jailor, to assert their rights and receive support when needed. Legal aid services provided by DLSA Advocates are available in the prison every day. The awareness program, organized by PRISM, was conducted on 26-09-2023 at the Trichy Prison. The program served to clarify prisoners’ doubts about their cases and also collect contact information for the families of a few prisoners to provide them with assistance. These sorts of awareness campaigns are conducted for the welfare of the prisoners to utilize, to the maximum, the provisions under our judiciary system.

August 17, 2023 prismchennaiindia@gmail.com No Comments

77th Independence Day Celebrations

The 77th Independence Day celebration at Government Observation Home for Boys at Kellys was a momentous occasion that aimed to instill a sense of patriotism and pride among the young residents. The event was organized to provide the boys with an opportunity to understand and commemorate the significance of India’s Independence Day. The celebration was conducted by PRISM in the form of a 7-day event, starting from 7th August 2023 and culminating with Independence Day. These events aimed to provide a creative platform for the boys to express their understanding of responsibility and respect towards the nation through artistic means. Independence Day was celebrated in collaboration with the Social Defence Department. Present at the event were Mrs. Lakshmi, the JJ Board Magistrate, Mr. Ravi Kumar Paul, Senior Advocate and Managing Trustee of PRISM and the board members of the JJB. The youngsters put on an outstanding music band march-past and various other cultural performances. The PRISM team took part in the programme in which our sports coach trained the OH boys for two weeks to perform pyramid and aerobics on the Independence Day. The boys performed well with enthusiasm. PRISM provided refreshments and prizes to the boys who participated in the week-long programme. Special gifts were given to the Observation Home which contained towels and sports equipment. 7th Aug – Being Responsible and Respectful towards India was imparted through educational sessions and collage making. 8th Aug – The theme “My Vision of India” was used to encourage participants to express their thoughts, hopes, and dreams for the nation through the mediums of poetry and elocution. A session dedicated to the life and sacrifice of Subash Chandra Bose, a prominent freedom fighter was also held. 9th Aug – A Ganna song competition was organized with the aim of fostering a sense of patriotism and national pride among the boys. The competition provided an opportunity for the participants to express their feelings for the country through music. A comprehensive session on the life, history, and sacrifice of Bhagat Singh, an iconic freedom fighter, was conducted. 10th Aug – A quiz competition focusing on the theme of “Freedom and Independence in India” was organized to educate and engage the boys on the history, struggles, and achievements related to India’s journey to freedom. The educational session was on the life and sacrifice of Veera Pandiya Kattabomman, a prominent freedom fighter from Tamil Nadu. 11th Aug – A drawing competition was organized with the theme “India and National Independence.” The competition aimed to provide a creative platform for the boys to express their feelings about India’s struggle for freedom and its significance. The competition along with a session on the life and courage of Veeramangai Velu Nachiyar, a fearless freedom fighter and queen, successfully combined historical awareness with creative engagement. 14th Aug – The boys were taught the meaning of both the Indian National Anthem, “Jana Gana Mana,” and the Tamil song, “Tamil Thai Vazhthu.” Along with the theoretical understanding, the boys practiced singing to connect with the essence of these patriotic songs. The celebration continued at Saidapet Sub-Jail around 11:30 AM. The Chief Guest, Hon’ble Thiru. Justice N. Anand Venkatesh, hoisted the flag and distributed sweets to the inmates at the Sub-Jail. and other well-wishers were part of the program. The street play by the inmates and their cultural performances left the guests astonished. The inspiring speech by Justice Anand Venkatesh and others created a patriotic atmosphere and a sense of satisfaction. Well-wishers: Former Justice P N Prakash Amaresh Pujari, DGP – Prisons and Correctional Services Ravi Kumar Paul, Managing Trustee of PRISM Kanagaraj, DIG HQ Murugesan, DIG Nazir Ahamed Thanasekarapandian

June 28, 2023 prismchennaiindia@gmail.com No Comments

World Drug Day at Cuddalore

The International Day against Drug Abuse and Illicit Trafficking, also known as World Drug Day, is observed on 26 June each year to promote action and cooperation in the pursuit of a world free from drug abuse. On June 27, 2023, Krupa and PRISM Trust jointly organized and conducted a Drug Awareness Program for 150 inmates at the Central Prison, Cuddalore. Students from the PATTAM class and remand prisoners participated in this program. Dr. Parthiban, MBBS, MD (Psychiatry) from Mind Care Clinic in Cuddalore, provided a comprehensive presentation on the severity of drug use. He also encouraged the inmates to overcome their drug dependencies. This impactful presentation left a lasting impression on the inmates. Mr. Senthil Kumar, Superintendent of Cuddalore Central Prison, advised the inmates to abandon their harmful habits and strive for a healthy and morally upright life. Mrs. Sudharshana, B.Sc, MBA, from the Mahatma Gandhi Deaddiction Centre in Cuddalore, informed and motivated the inmates by discussing various treatments available for recovering from drug addiction. This meaningful event was made successful by the PRISM Coordinator at Cuddalore for PATTAM, Mr. Prakash.

January 26, 2023 prismchennaiindia@gmail.com No Comments

74th Republic Day

The 74th Republic Day was celebrated with great enthusiasm at the Saidapet Sub-jail, making it a special event. The occasion featured the esteemed presence of Hon’ble Justice P.N. Prakash, a former Judge of the High Court Madras, along with all our stakeholders. The campus was adorned beautifully, thanks to the efforts of the inmates and the prison department workers. The celebration commenced with the hoisting of the national flag, followed by a small program and a presentation by Ravi Kumar Paul, the founder of PRISM. The inmates and drop-in center boys contributed to the day’s significance with a street play, inspiring testimonials, and soulful singing of the national anthem. The planned activities were executed successfully within the sub-jail premise s. The involvement of external human resource personnel further enhanced the program’s success. This special event held during the month also presented an opportunity to strengthen our relationship with the Prison Department, fostering cooperation and collaboration in our shared mission.

September 12, 2021 PRISM No Comments

PATTAM featured in The Hindu

Click the link to read now: https://www.thehindu.com/news/national/tamil-nadu/over-2900-pass-programme-for-first-time-offenders/article36409707.ece

September 10, 2021 PRISM No Comments

PATTAM program adapted for Juveniles

Earlier this year, we received a request from the Juvenile Justice Board (JJB) to provide individual and family counselling for juveniles in conflict with the law. Being aware of the huge need for the youngsters, we explored the possibility of adapting the PATTAM programme to suit this age group. After making adjustments to the programme, on 13th March 2021 we launched PATTAM at the Government Observation Home for Boys in Kellys, Chennai. Hon’ble Mr Justice P.N.Prakash inaugurated the project. The programme was adapted to deal with the top two triggers for juvenile delinquency – addiction and dysfunctional families. To address these, we established a counselling centre on the campus of the Observation home, Kellys, Chennai. Here, our counsellors, on the order of the JJ board, meet juveniles individually and with families, for counselling sessions. In addition to counselling, we engage the boys in the observation home at Kellys and Madurai with interactive sessions from Monday to Friday, where the topics are focused on Understanding Self, Goal setting, Decision Making and Handling Emotions. So far, we have been able to help 100 boys through counselling. The counsellors do a minimum of five sessions with each boy and additional sessions are conducted depending on the needs of the child and the family. Apart from these psychological interventions, we engage boys with life skills through sports for two hours in the evenings from Monday to Friday. The boys are engaged with sports activities and the lessons for life they can learn from that sport.

October 11, 2020 PRISM No Comments

Training of Trainers concludes

To make the PATTAM programme sustainable, 5 selected Convict Para Legal Volunteers (PLVs) (Refer NALSA Scheme of Para Legal Volunteers) from each Central Prison, in Tamil Nadu, were brought to the Central Prison II Puzhal, Chennai and on 14th March 2020, the Training of Trainers (TOT) programme was inaugurated by Shri Sunil Kumar Singh, DGP&CS. A team from PRISM under the leadership of Mr. Emmanuel Angelo, an expert trainer, conducted the comprehensive TOT programme to equip them with the skills necessary to conduct the PATTAM classes in their respective prisons. Due to the pandemic, the TOT programme had to be continued online from their respective prisons and closed on 9th October 2020. The valedictory programme held on 10th October 2020, was presided over by the former Chief Justice of Madras High Court, Amreshwar Pratap Sahi. 39 out of the original 40 PLVs successfully completed the training. The TOT programme has equipped these convict PLV’s to not only conduct the PATTAM classes but also to assist in the conduct of Pre-release programmes, apart from assisting the Psychologists and Counsellors in the prisons in the discharge of their duties.

March 28, 2020 PRISM No Comments

COVID-19 emergency at the prisons

In light of the lockdown declared by the Government, to contain the spread of the COVID-19 virus, the TOT programme was closed midway on the 21st March 2020. PRISM provided suggestions for decongestion and sanitisation of the prisons, all of which have been implemented. Around 1,200 inmates have been released mainly on bail from the Central Prison at Puzhal and more are being considered. There are still 42 inmates in the Saidapet Sub Jail for whom efforts are being made for release on their own bond. Masks are being produced in the prisons and being supplied to Health workers. Video calls are being arranged for prisoners with their families for them to know that they are safe. The writ petition filed by PRISM in the Madurai High Court, which was reported in the newspapers, is still pending, but all the suggestions have been considered and dealt with.

March 27, 2020 PRISM No Comments

Training of Trainers put on hold

The Training of Trainers (TOT) programme that commenced on 14th March, had to be discontinued abruptly on 21st March 2020 in view of the COVID-19 emergency. The plan is to restart and complete the programme, at the earliest, once the emergency is over. During the final session on 21st March, all the trainees expressed their happiness and satisfaction with the programme. They presented oil paintings, done by one of the trainees, to Emmanuel Angelo – the Trainer, Ravi Kumar Paul – Managing Trustee of PRISM and G Saraswati – Secretary District Legal Services Authority, Tiruvallur, as tokens of their appreciation. They have made a commitment to study the material provided. With the help of the Prison psychologist, they intend to use their learning for the benefit of the other inmates, until the programme recommences.

March 20, 2020 PRISM No Comments

Training of Trainers commences at Central Prison-I, Puzhal

PRISM aims to make the rehabilitation programmes, running in the prisons, self-sustaining. With this goal in mind, the idea of Training the Trainers came about in the middle of last year. The idea was to train convicts that are serving life sentences, or long terms, to conduct the rehabilitation programmes within their prisons, for petty offenders. The benefits of this are two-fold – the convicts learn a new skill and there is a ready pool of resources available to serve as trainers. Besides, those under remand are likely to relate better to convicts than to trainers from the outside. The next step was to identify a suitable trainer to conduct the TOT (Training Of Trainers) programme. On a visit to the Academy of Prisons and Correctional Administration (APCA), Vellore, the PRISM team met Beulah Emmanuel, a Senior Faculty member of APCA. When she learned of PRISM’s requirement, she introduced the PRISM team to her husband, Mr. Emmanuel Angelo. Mr. Angelo is a veteran in the field of training. He has vast experience training for an international organization and for the Police department at Vellore. The months that followed saw a flurry of activity initiated by Mr. & Mrs. Angelo’s agreement to conduct the TOT programme. In addition to convicts from Central Prison-II in Puzhal and Central Prison in Madurai, where the rehabilitation programme is already running, the Central Prisons at Coimbatore, Vellore and Trichy were also earmarked for the TOT programme. The District Legal Services Authority, Tiruvallur and the Tamil Nadu State Legal Services Authority (TNSLSA) came forward to sponsor the programme as well as coordinate with the Prison Department. PRISM recommended that 5 convicts from each of the 5 earmarked prisons be identified based on their educational qualification, aptitude and communication skills and good behaviour. The team at PRISM was pleasantly surprised to find that the District Legal Services Authority, Tiruvallur was so encouraged by the programme that they extended the scope to include the other Central Prisons at Palayamkottai, Cuddalore and Salem and consequently 5 members from each of these prisons were selected. The TOT programme now trains 40 convicts from all the Central Prisons in Tamil Nadu. The TOT programme was inaugurated on March 15th, 2020, at Central Prison-I, Puzhal, under the auspices of Hon’ble Mr. Justice P N Prakash. A Murugesan, DIG Prisons, gave the Welcome Address. Feliciations were given by Sunil Kumar Singh, DGP Prisons, K Ayyappan, Member of the High Court Committee, J Selvanadhan, PDJ Tiruvallur and K Rajasekar, Member Secretary TNSLSA. The vote of thanks was given by G Saraswati, Secretary District Legal Services Authority, Tiruvallur followed by the first session for the convicts, conducted by Mr. & Mrs. Angelo. The trainees were enthusiastic, responsive and eager to learn. The programme got off to a good start and is scheduled to finish on March 28th 2020.

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