Amritsar Prison, a Central Prison in the State of Punjab in India, has now become a Correctional Institution, a Training & Research Centre in less than a year. Respect of basic human values is the core of this reform process. The prisoners are trained here in a manner so that they can share greater responsibilities to bring total reformation in the society.
Kunwar Vijay Pratap Singh, an IPS officer of 1998 batch of Punjab Cadre, heading Amritsar Central Prison from December 2005 is the youngest IPS officer to be posted in Prisons. It was total chaos, mismanagement and mistrust between the prisoners and the prison staff when he joined. He first took the officers in confidence, utilized the potential of the prisoners and associated the community in the reforms. In less than a year, Amritsar prison became a model for Punjab. The BPR&D,Government of India, recognizing the reforms, organized a training programme ‘Seeing is Learning’ for Prison Officers of North India at Central Jail, Amritsar in November 2006 where Valedictory address was made by Dr. Kiran Bedi, DG, BPR&D. Kunwar was awarded with IVF award 2006 by Dr. Kiran Bedi and entrusted with the responsibility of Honorary Director of Punjab Chapter of IVF. Swami Ramdev visited this prison and appreciated the ongoing reforms. Kunwar earlier served in Punjab Police in various capacities including SP City Amritsar, SP Mohali,SSP Ferozepur. Decorated with prestigious Baba Farid Award 2004 for Honesty,Kunwar detected the kidney scam, CBSE PMT scam and first cyber crime of Punjab.
