Some of the prisoners in Tamil Nadu prisons might have masked their faces during their illegal activities to protect identity, but now, jailbirds in the state prisons are making masks for the police department and also for the public as protective gear against Coronavirus infection.

According to officials, the tailoring units in the state jails make about 23,000 pieces per day. As policemen faced a shortage of face masks the tailoring units in the jails were asked to make masks. Each mask costs about Rs 10 and is for captive use while there have been inquiries from hospitals and others for supply.

Meanwhile, the prisons department has earmarked 37 sub-jails - one in each district - to house new prisoners as a measure to prevent the spread of Coronavirus in jails. The sub-jails will house people remanded in judicial custody.

The newcomers will be screened and those with virus infection symptoms will be referred to the nearest government hospital.

The prisoners housed in jails reserved for newcomers have been shifted to other jails.