Freedom Filling Station, a fuel station manned by the prisoners, began functioning on the premises of Salem Central Prison on Saturday (July 26, 2025).
The T.N. Prisons Department, as part of rehabilitating prisoners, provides employment opportunities for those with good conduct.
The Salem Central Prison administration identified a 900 sq. mt. piece of land on its premises near Yercaud Main Road for a fuel station. The construction was started in March this year and completed a few days ago.
The fuel station was constructed by the Indian Oil Corporation Limited (IOCL). IOCL also trained the selected prisoners. The prisoners will work in three shifts (seven prisoners per shift) and the fuel station will function round the clock with tight security. The salary for the prisoners will be paid by the IOCL via the prison administration.
Prison officials said that the first shift will be from 6 a.m. to 2 p.m., the second shift from 2 p.m. to 10 p.m., and the third shift from 10 p.m. to 6 a.m. For surveillance, 17 CCTV cameras are installed, the officials added.
