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#Jail

Good News

Reforming Lives: Financial Freedom and Skills Development in India's Women's Central Jail

In a progressive move, Rajamahendravaram Women's Central Jail in India has introduced a semi-open prison program, offering financial opportunities to its female inmates. Under this initiative, life convicts will have the chance to work at petrol bunks, nurseries, and dairy farms within the prison premises.  As part of the program, 27 out of 65 women serving life sentences have been selected to participate. The prison superintendent, Vasantha Kumari, highlighted that the income generated from their work will be used for the welfare of the prison inmates. The move is aimed at providing financial support to the families of women prisoners and preparing them for a normal life after release. The initiative also offers a chance for the inmates to learn new skills and gain work experience, increasing their chances of finding employment upon release. Additionally, it allows them to interact with society, reducing their sense of isolation and improving their overall skills. To be eligible for the program, inmates must exhibit good conduct and meet certain behavioral standards. The selection process involves a thorough evaluation of fitness and mental condition. The prison administration expects to receive approval for the program soon. The semi-open jail initiative is part of the state government's efforts to transform prisons into reformation centers. By empowering women inmates financially and providing them with opportunities for growth, the program aims to facilitate their successful reintegration into society. This groundbreaking step highlights the commitment to prisoner welfare and rehabilitation, emphasizing the importance of offering second chances and enabling individuals to rebuild their lives.

1 Dec 2023
Good News

A Prison Where Inmates Become Skilled and Self Sufficient

Isn’t it great that prisoners are using their time to learn new skills and will have a decent means to earn a living when they are released? That's exactly what is happening at the Almora district jail in Uttarakhand.  For the first time in Uttarakhand, the inmates of the Almora jail are trained to grow mushrooms. Two rooms have been designated for this purpose.  It's been a year and the time has come to reap the benefits. The jail has produced 14 kg of mushrooms which have been sold in the market at a price of Rs 200 per kg. At least 30 more prisoners will be taught how to grow mushrooms during the second phase of the program. According to prison director Jayant Pangti, they want the offenders to be trained and self-sufficient so that they may be self-reliant whenever they reintegrate into the mainstream population. Pangti added that apart from mushroom production, they are also providing vocational training.  Priti Bhandari, also known as the "mushroom lady" in Kuman, who began cultivating mushrooms ten years ago by utilizing conventional techniques and just gathering wild mushrooms, was roped in to train the inmates. Bhandari’s story is also very inspiring. She currently sells mushrooms for up to Rs 18 lakh, some of which are sold to nearby states like Delhi. She also teaches locals how to grow and collect them. Bhandari received the Telu Rauteli Award, which is granted to outstanding women in Uttarakhand, for her contributions.

21 Dec 2022
Good News

Undertrials Bring a Ray of Hope Into Lives of Inmates in Prison

Acting on compulsion can lead to regret and punishment, but that doesn't in any way diminish one's ability to be human. Jairaj Singh, 32 who is accused of killing his neighbor has along with eight other undertrials embarked on a mission to provide education to their inmates thus bringing a ray of hope into their lives. As a result, 841 convicts at Naini Central Jail are making the most of their time there by pursuing education to enrich their lives. These nine undertrials conduct classes in the prison twice daily between 9 and 11 a.m. and again between 2 and 4 p.m. with the assistance of three government-appointed teachers. The prison administration provides the reading material.  Currently, 717 prisoners are enrolled in various levels of education, ranging from class 5 to post-graduation. Within this storied jail, the 124 illiterate inmates have just begun their literacy journey. Singh himself holds double PG degrees and was preparing for the civil services exams before landing in jail. He realized that many inmates at the jail had an intense desire to complete their education or begin their journey in literacy. Singh is assisted by Ajay Tiwari, a double PG degree holder and an IAS aspirant who is accused of murder and is in jail for the last 16 years.  Together they help to educate those willing to pursue their graduation, post-graduation, or diploma courses through distance learning. According to Rameshwar Prasad, who is in charge of overseeing education and class administration on the jail grounds, three government teachers, including two women, visit the jail to teach the prisoners. Since April 2022, Singh along with eight other undertrials has been working with jail officials to establish regular class schedules.

16 Dec 2022
Good News

The Newly Introduced Radio Station at Agra Jail Is a Source of Rejuvenation for the Inmates

Recently we came to know that the authorities of Viyyur Central Jail collaborated with Swiggy to deliver a pocket-friendly biriyani combo cooked by the inmates. And now we hear that Agra jail has launched a radio station for the rehabilitation of the inmates which is absolutely amazing. A Great Way to Revive The internal radio station which will be run by the inmates of the jail is going to be a great source of restoration for them. And not just that, they can also learn a lot of things about radio and show their prowess. The Senior Superintendent of Police, Babloo Kumar told ANI that the radio station will make the atmosphere jovial for the inmates as he said: “This radio station will be a source of entertainment for the prisoners. It will be operated by a prisoner. Programmes like special song request, health programmes and spiritual songs will be played. It will help in reducing their stress.” It feels good to see that the authorities of the jail are doing their best to bring positivity in the lives of the prisoners. Such recreational activities are needed for all inmates to understand that being optimistic is the best way of living. Image Source: ANI

1 Aug 2019
Good News

A Pocket-Friendly Biryani Combo Cooked By The Inmates Of Viyyur Central Jail

Who can say no to a plate of biriyani? And what if you get a delectable combo of it at a low price? Wouldn’t you order it right away? However, this biryani is not cooked by any chef at a restaurant but by the inmates of the Viyyur central jail in Kerala. The authorities of the jail have tied up with Swiggy which will deliver the food within 6 km of radius. It has been decided to sell the combo for Rs 127 in the first phase. This is not the first time for the inmates of the jail to cook food and sell it. Earlier they use to make chapattis which were sold commercially by Freedom Food Factory since 2011. And for now, it sells 25,000 chapattis and 500 biryanis every day. In a conversation with PTI, Nirmalanandan Nair, the Superintendent of Viyyur Central Jail said: “We are going online for the first time. We started making and selling chappathis in 2011. It was the Viyyur Central jail which started making chappathis on commercial scale. The idea of going online was proposed by jail DGP Rishiraj Singh.” The combo that will be sold through Swiggy consists of 300 grams of biryani rice along with one roasted chicken leg and three chapattis. It will also have a cupcake as a sweet dish and salad with pickle. A plantain leaf to eat the food on it and a one-litre water bottle will also be provided. This combo is ideal for all those who look for a pocket-friendly and a filling meal. We hope the authorities motivate others ....and also come up with a lot more economical options.

13 Jul 2019
Good News

Positive Reads

Inside Jail Walls, Inmates Embrace Radio Movement for Rehabilitation and Hope

In a remarkable initiative called Jeevan Aanand, inmates at the Jharpada Special Prison in Bhubaneswar are finding solace, hope, and new skills through a unique radio movement. The brainchild of the Amulya Jeevan Foundation, the project aims to engage prisoners constructively and enhance their mental and emotional well-being. Under the guidance of radio jockey (RJ) Komal Jyoti, over 20 male inmates have been trained in radio techniques, programming, and jockeying. Fifteen of them have even received completion certificates. Operating under the name Azaad Vaani, the inmates run a full-day radio show from 7 am to 4 pm, featuring entertainment shows, radio dramas, and interviews with prominent personalities. For the inmates, this radio movement has become a new ray of hope amidst the darkness of incarceration. One inmate, known as RJ Chota Packet Bada Dhamaka, expressed gratitude for the opportunity to pursue a career after leaving prison. Apart from radio training, the initiative also offers various therapeutic activities, such as theatre, art, poetry, and dance. Inmates interested in visual arts are receiving training in painting and sculpture, while a poetry club called 'Unmukt Vani' provides an outlet for creative expression in Hindi and Odia languages. The success of the program has led to an invitation for replication in eight other districts. Additionally, plans are underway to publish a book of poetry written by the inmates. The foundation is also set to introduce spoken English and computer training at the library, further expanding the skill development opportunities for prisoners.

4 Oct 2023
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