The Greater Chennai City Police Commissioner, Sandeep Rai Rathore, conducted a review of the ‘Personality Attitude Reformation Assistance Venture Affirming Identity’ (PARAVAI) pilot project. Initiated a year ago by the then Commissioner of Police, P.N. Prakash, and the former Judge of the Madras High Court, PARAVAI focuses on rehabilitating young offenders under 24 years.
The project aims to provide psychiatric counseling to first-time offenders in this age group, counsel their family members, and offer specialized support to those struggling with substance abuse. The Joint Commissioner of Police, South Zone, oversees the project, with 30 police ranges and various departmental officers contributing to its effective implementation.
The comprehensive approach involves collaboration with the prison department, social welfare department, legal services, employment and training department, a psychiatric hospital, and the NGO PRISM for counseling and vocational training. The stakeholders’ review meeting, attended by Retired Judge P.N. Prakash and Commissioner Rathore, emphasizes the project’s commitment to reforming and empowering young offenders.