Hyderabad: Union Minister of State for Home Affairs Bandi Sanjay Kumar called for greater leadership opportunities, specialised training and technological skills for women prison officers. He also stressed mental health support for personnel working in prison administration.
Bandi Sanjay inaugurated the fifth National Conference on Uniformed Women in Prison Administration at the Central Academy for Police Training in Bhopal on Thursday. The Bureau of Police Research and Development organised the conference.
Women prison officers from 27 States and Union Territories participated in the conference. The Minister also released the “Directory of Prison Officials in India 2026” during the programme.
Meanwhile, Bandi Sanjay highlighted the role of women officers in maintaining prison security and helping inmates move towards reform. He called for stronger professional support to help officers perform these responsibilities effectively.
The Minister also stressed the need to address the healthcare, safety and rehabilitation requirements of women prisoners and their children. He said prison administration should place human dignity at the centre of its functioning.
Women prison officers urged to combine technology with human judgement
Bandi Sanjay said technology should support professional judgement rather than replace it. He emphasised the need for a modern prison system that focuses on reform and rehabilitation.
In addition, he called for greater attention to the working environment and professional development of women officers. Specialised training and technological skills, he said, would help them meet changing requirements in prison administration.
The Minister also stressed mental health support for women prison officers. He said their responsibilities extended beyond security duties and included guiding inmates towards rehabilitation.
Furthermore, Bandi Sanjay called for stronger focus on women prisoners and their children. He highlighted healthcare, safety and rehabilitation as areas requiring sustained attention from prison authorities.
The conference brought together women prison officers from 27 States and Union Territories. Discussions focused on the role of women in prison administration and the need to strengthen their professional capabilities.
Bandi Sanjay said the government was committed to building a modern and humane prison system. He linked the approach to reforms aimed at strengthening correction, rehabilitation and dignity within prison administration.
The Minister also released the Directory of Prison Officials in India 2026 at the conference. The event was organised by BPR&D at the Central Academy for Police Training in Bhopal.