Chennai: Tamil Nadu Prison and Correctional Services department launched ‘Payanam’, a de-addiction and rehabilitation programme for drug offenders, as a pilot project at Central Prison-II, Puzhal.Sandeep Rai Rathore, Director General of Police and Director General of Prisons and Correctional Services, inaugurated the programme. It is designed to support inmates through de-addiction, counseling, psychological support, therapeutic interventions, life-skill training, and rehabilitation aimed at helping them reintegrate into society.Speaking at the event, Rathore said the effects of drug addiction extended beyond individuals to their families and society. He said the correctional system had to focus not only on custody but also on treatment, reform, rehabilitation, and reintegration.He said the programme was aligned with TN govt’s focus on creating a drug-free state. He appreciated the Prism team, senior counsel Ravi Kumar Paul, and his team for designing the module and supporting its implementation.The pilot programme will be monitored and evaluated, and the findings will be used to strengthen it further.
