The old School of thought on treatment of prisoners and administration of Prisons were based on retribution, deterrence and such other punitive measures. The emphasis on punishment has gradually been replaced by modern concepts on safe custody, correction, reformation, welfare, rehabilitation and resocialisation. In order to achieve these goals and for matters connected therewith or incidental thereto, an act "The Kerala Prison & Correctional Services (Management) Act 2010" was enacted in the year 2010.
The basic duty and responsibility of prisons department is to provide safe custody of all persons committed to jails by any competent authority having jurisdiction and power under any law for the time being in force. All persons admitted to the Jail are given hygienic living conditions, adequate food, clothing and medical care as envisaged in the law. The prisons department's endeavor is to achieve the objectives of correction, reformation and rehabilitation of prisoners including effective vocational training.
The mission of Kerala Prisons & Correctional Services is to take adequate steps for safe custody, correction, reformation and rehabilitation to transform prisoners into self-sustainable individuals with acceptable social behaviour when released back to society.