Bharath Institute of Law, BIHER, successfully organized an Educational Visit to the Central Prison, Puducherry for the Legal Aid Student Members on 08 November 2025 as part of its Legal Aid Programme. The visit was coordinated by the Legal Aid Clinic with the objective of providing students with practical exposure to prison administration, prisoners’ rights, and the reformative framework of the criminal justice system.
The visit was conducted with prior approval from the Dean, Bharath Institute of Law, and permission from the Superintendent of Central Prison, Puducherry. The students were accompanied by faculty members of the Legal Aid Clinic and were guided throughout the visit by the Superintendent and prison officials.
During the visit, students were taken to various functional units of the prison, including the Undertrial Prisoners’ Block, Detained Prisoners’ Block, Women Prison Block, Prison Kitchen, and the Interview (Mulakat) Hall. The prison authorities explained the legal status of undertrial prisoners, constitutional and statutory safeguards available to inmates, welfare measures for women prisoners and children, and the procedures governing prisoner–family and lawyer interactions.
Students also gained valuable insights into the reformative and rehabilitative initiatives implemented within the prison, such as vocational training units, skill-development programmes, library facilities, and physical and mental wellness activities aimed at the social reintegration of prisoners.
The visit proved to be a highly informative and enriching experience, enabling students to connect theoretical knowledge with real-world correctional practices. It significantly enhanced their understanding of legal aid, prisoners’ rights, and reformative justice, reaffirming the institution’s commitment to experiential legal education and social responsibility.