Our visit to Central Prison

Thanks to Dr.Lakshmi, we got an opportunity to visit the Central Prison in Chennai. We were taken on a guided tour of the now closed prison and got a glimpse of  its rich history. Mr. K. Rajendra, a friendly officer from the DGP’s office took us through and patiently answered all our queries. A special thanks to him too.

Opened in 1837, this prison has housed various freedom fighters and many political leaders including the ex-Chief Minister Ms. Jayalalitha, her close aide Sasikala, current Chief  Minister Mr. M. Karunanidhi and his son Mr. M.K. Stalin. It has also housed various state and central ministers like Murasoli Maran, Arcot Veerasamy and so on.

It had housed 2000 plus prisoners when it was closed back in 2007 and the prisoners were moved to Puzhal. We were told that the government plans to pull down the structure and the place would be utilised by the General Hospital (which is next door) for its expansion and another part of the land would be taken by Railways.

I wonder why the government doesn’t want to  convert this place to a tourist destination. They can restore the blocks, display photographs, have sound and light shows and even have special theme rides like the ones in disney land. I am sure a lot of private players would come forward if government is willing.

Has anyone filed a PIL against bringing down such a historic place? Anyways, I’m posting some of the  photographs taken yesterday with foot notes. Thanks to Anand for taking these wonderful pictures.

Chennai Central Prison

This prison was built in 1800’s and started full-fledged operations in 1837 and was closed down in 2007

Jailer’s Office at the entrance

Cells for Political Prisoners

Cells where political prisoners booked under MISA were kept, including MK Stalin and Arcot Veerasamy. The famous murder of MISA convict chittibabu also took place here.

Food Storage Area

High walls with electrical fencing

No easy escape!

Prisoners’ belongings and valuables were kept here when they came in and returned to them on the day of their release

Oldest part of the jail where many freedom fighters like Netaji and Veer Savarkar were housed. They were kept in this cell along with other freedom fighters.

Old block. From another angle

Terrorists (or is it extremists?!) Cell

Terrorists Cells – Inside

VIP Cells. Ex-CM Ms. Jayalalitha was in the room at the left corner and Kanchi Shankaracharya Jayendra was in the middle room.

Prison Poetry

Any takers?

Pre-preparation area adjacent to the main kitchen

This Main kitchen was operational 24 x 7 since 1837 serving approxilately 2000 prisoners every day untill it was shut in 2007. While one cook was government appointed, the rest were all male prsioners. Interestingly women prisoners were not allowed to cook or serve.

Counters adjacent to the main kitchen where cooked rice is spread and moulded into blocks and served to the prisoners. They call the process “achu adikarathu”

Laundry Area. While they did their own washing, the prisoners could give their clothes to professional launderers for iron. These launderers came in every day for the service

Prison Art!

Projector room. They were shown movies once in a while.

These are century old temples

Court yard where the first ever Prisoner Riots took place in 1999. Ten prisoners were shot dead at this very spot before the rioters submitted to authority

The room where our current Chief Minister Mr. M. Karunanidhi was kept once

The Gallows. The last prisoner was executed here in the year 1975. Post that no prisoners were executed here.

Post-mortem would be conducted here and the body of the executed prisoner would be handed over to the family after doctor’s certification

That’s Dr. lakshmi with Mr. Rajendra from the DGP’s office

That’s Anand’s grand exit from the prison