Dr. P. Govindrajan

Deputy Director, Vellore

Dr. P. Govindrajan was awarded Ph.D. in Social Work by Bharathiar University, Coimbatore and M.A. in Defence Studies from Madras University and M.Phil in Social Work (Youth Welfare) from Bharathiar University, Coimbatore. He had also obtained M.L. in Crime and Torts from Madras University.

His experience is vast and had a colourful career as -

DIG of Prisons (April 2009 – 2014) in Coimbatore and Chennai Range.

Superintendent in charge from June 2008 to 22 April 2009 in Coimbatore Central Prison.

Additional Superintendent from March 1998 to 2008 in Chennai, Madurai and Coimbatore.

Additionally, he served as a resource person in all UGC programmes in the Dept. of Social Work in Bharathiar University, Coimbatore.

He had served as a Technical Member in the Tamil Nadu Public Service Commission (TNPSC) for the recruitment of Prison Cadres.

For over two decades he engaged himself in inspiring and motivating the UG and PG students to involve themselves in environmental activities and skill-building initiatives.

He had published many research papers in reputed Journals and Books. To state a few:

1. Mental Health Problems among Prisoners and a Peer-help Counselling Model for Suicide Prevention, The International Journal of Indian Psychology, ISSN:23485396, Vol. 4 (4).
2. “Human Rights Abuse on Elders: Special reference to Prisons” in Human Rights Abuse on Elderly People, Discovery Publishers, Delhi, ISBN-978-9350560983.
3. “Women Empowerment Activities in Tamil Nadu Prisons” in Rural Empowerment for Sustainable Development, Hikey Media, Chennai, ISBN-978-9382570059.
4. “Social Work Practices in Prisons” in Professional Social Work in India: Rhetoric and Reality, Zaheer Hussain Publication, Coimbatore, ISBN-978-8190748964.

He has undergone advanced training in Premier National training Institutions on subjects such as Human Rights Awareness, Behavior Modification, Custodial Violence, and Human Rights Initiatives, including programmes conducted by the Tata Institute of Fundamental Research and Bureau of Police Research and National Institutes of Criminology.

He was given the Best Alumni Award by the Nallamuthu Gounder Mahalingam College, Pollachi, Tamil Nadu in the year 2009. He was awarded the Presidential Medal for Meritorious Prison Service in the year 2009.

He has delivered several radio talks on youth- related social issues

He was awarded Black belt in Karate

Driven by a strong commitment to social service, his aim is to empower the youth through motivation and skill development. He is currently re-employed as Deputy Director at APCA, Vellore, with effect from 1st Sept 2025