AP Pushing Prison, Policing Reforms With Tech-Driven Governance: Anitha

NELLORE: Home Minister Vangalapudi Anitha has said the state government is focusing on modernising prisons and policing systems through technology-driven governance, infrastructure upgrades and administrative reforms.

She stated this during her official programmes in Tirupati and Srikalahasti on Monday.

The minister began the day with a surprise inspection of the special sub jail in Tirupati, where she reviewed inmate facilities and discussed security, administration and rehabilitation measures with prison officials.

Stating that prisons should function as centres for reformation, Anita said the government was committed to promoting behavioural change among inmates through counselling and rehabilitation programmes.

She said the Tirupati special sub jail was operating beyond its sanctioned capacity, with nearly 140 inmates lodged against the approved strength of 120. The government would examine whether to expand the existing jail, spread over around 70 cents, or construct a new facility elsewhere.

Referring to prison and policing reforms, Anitha said fast-track courts were ensuring speedy trials in sensational cases and added that more such courts would be established if required. Paroles were being monitored closely and vacancies in police, fire and prison departments filled through the state job calendar.

Later, Anitha inaugurated the newly constructed 2-town police station in Srikalahasti along with revenue minister Anagani Satya Prasad and local MLA Bojjala Sudheer Reddy.

Constructed at a cost of `2.75 crore, the police station has been equipped with digital monitoring systems, counselling facilities and infrastructure aimed at improving public access to police services and speeding up case disposal.

Anitha said complaints were now being registered online and monitored through integrated digital dashboards accessible to senior officials, enabling faster tracking of cases.

Referring to Srikalahasti’s significance as a temple town, the minister said special focus was being laid on pilgrims’ safety and women’s protection through CCTV surveillance and digital policing systems.

The revenue minister said police stations across AP were being developed into modern public service centres under governance reforms introduced by the government. Online case monitoring and digital desk systems had reduced delays in grievance redressal and investigations.

During the programme, the ministers, along with district collector Venkateshwar and SP Subbarayudu, felicitated children of police personnel who excelled in the recent SSC and Intermediate examinations with merit certificates and cash prizes.