Chennai: The Theni jailbreak has triggered a statewide security overhaul in prisons, with the prison department suspending several income-generating rehabilitation initiatives, such as petrol outlets, poultry farms and ‘Freedom Bazaars’ attached to central prisons. Nearly 400 personnel deployed to supervise inmate-led activities outside prison campuses are being reassigned to perimeter security and internal guard duties.The redeployment is now under way. Palayamkottai Central Prison has received 40 additional personnel for security duties, said a staff member. Officials at Coimbatore, Salem and other central prisons too confirmed that staff assigned to rehabilitation-related activities were returning to security work, increasing manpower at the facilities.Senior officials said restoring prison security and public confidence was important. “Rehabilitation is important but ensuring security and preventing further escapes are the immediate priorities,” a senior prison official said, confirming that 300-400 personnel were being redeployed.The department runs 11 petrol outlets in association with Indian Oil Corporation Ltd — two each in Chennai, Trichy and Coimbatore, and one each in Vellore, Salem, Madurai, Palayamkottai and Pudukkottai. Between Feb 2019 and March 2026, the outlets recorded a cumulative turnover of ₹1,939 crore and generated a net profit of ₹55.29 crore. In 2025-26 alone, they posted a net profit of ₹12.87 crore, an official said. The outlets provided more than 300 convicted prisoners, including women, with an income to support their families.Nearly 100 inmates were engaged in poultry farms operated under the ‘Freedom’ brand. Located outside prison campuses, the farms have also been shut. Freedom Bazaars, which sell products made in prison industries across the state, have been closed as part of the security exercise.“Industries operating within prison campuses will continue. However, facilities that require prison personnel to supervise inmates outside the campuses will remain shut for now,” another senior official said. The official could not say when the suspended facilities would resume operations.
