Telangana's Director General of Police (DGP), B. Shivdhar Reddy, on Wednesday, 29 April, inaugurated a nine-month basic entry training programme for Delhi Prisons Department staff at the State Institute of Correctional Administration (SICA) in Hyderabad. A total of 381 personnel from the Delhi Prisons Department will undergo training in phases under the programme.

First Batch and Training Structure

The inaugural batch comprises 62 trainees, including 18 Assistant Superintendents, 43 women warders, and one trainee from Telangana. Training kits were distributed to participants during the inauguration ceremony. The curriculum covers a broad range of subjects including criminology, psychology, human rights, and the use of technology in prison administration — reflecting a modern, rights-based approach to correctional services.

What the DGP Said

Addressing the trainees, DGP Shivdhar Reddy emphasised that a career in the Prisons Department goes far beyond the physical confinement of inmates. He noted that prison personnel carry a significant responsibility of reforming prisoners and facilitating their reintegration into society as responsible citizens. He highlighted the complexities of prison management and underscored the need for professional competence, discipline, and a humane approach. Reddy stressed that meaningful reforms can only be achieved through impartial conduct and by treating inmates with dignity and respect. Referring to frequent criticism faced by prison personnel on human rights issues, he emphasised the importance of value-based training, particularly for Assistant Superintendents and warders.

Inter-State Cooperation and SICA's Track Record

Director General of Prisons Soumya Mishra said that inter-state cooperation plays a crucial role in strengthening prison reforms across the country. She expressed pride that the Delhi Prisons Department had entrusted SICA with training a large number of its personnel, calling it a reflection of confidence in the institute's standards. Mishra recalled that earlier training programmes conducted by SICA for Tihar Jail staff, in accordance with Bureau of Police Research and Development (BPR&D) standards, had received national recognition.

Shift Towards Rights-Based Prison Administration

Mishra highlighted the evolving nature of modern prison administration, noting that it is increasingly adopting a rights-based approach. She encouraged trainees to make full use of both indoor and outdoor training modules to contribute to progressive reforms. This comes amid a broader national conversation on prison overcrowding, undertraining of correctional staff, and the need for rehabilitative rather than purely punitive systems. Notably, SICA's selection for this programme underscores Hyderabad's growing role as a national hub for correctional training. The remaining batches of Delhi Prisons personnel are expected to be trained in subsequent phases over the course of the programme.