Chandigarh, Feb 26 (IANS): The Punjab Cabinet on Wednesday decided to establish the Punjab Prisons Development Board on the lines of Telangana to engage the prisoners in gainful economic activity with the objective of having a correctional impact on them.

A spokesperson for the Chief Minister's Office said this step would help in achieving the goal of reduction in crimes in prisons, while generating revenue by keeping the prisoners busy in various activities undertaken by the board.

The board would be chaired by the Chief Minister, with Jails Minister as Senior Vice Chairperson and Additional Chief Secretary, Principal Secretary and Secretary to the Department of Prisons as its Vice Chairperson.

The Punjab Prisons Department had mooted a proposal for establishment of the Punjab Development Board on the lines of Telangana.

After bifurcation, Telangana had adopted the Andhra Pradesh Prison Development Board, which was established back in 2001.

The Telangana State Prisons Development Board has been able to undertake numerous economic activities which have brought about real transformation in the criminals, even leading to a decrease in prison crimes and also generating revenue.