The Hindu : Front Page : Prisoners paint their despair

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Tuesday, May 06, 2008
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Prisoners paint their despair

M. Balaganessin

TIRUCHI: The joy of three inmates of the Central Prison here knew no bounds when they received certificates of appreciation from Deputy Inspector-General of Prisons (Tiruchi Range) B. M. Ezra after their tryst with brushes and paint at a national-level painting competition.

It was conducted recently by the Bangalore-based Prison Ministry India, a non-governmental organisation. Their paintings portrayed circumstances forcing individuals to commit crime and the sufferings that their kith and kin undergo after they become prisoners.

While J. Jegadeesh’s painting described how women buckle under pressure and turn prostitutes, only to become prisoners and undergo more ordeals, J. Jeyaraj depicted the sufferings of family members of inmates. P. Palanivel reflected the link between the vices — gambling and alcoholism —and poverty of prisoners’ families.

Having completed a postgraduate course, Jegadeesh, a lifer, was overwhelmed by the recognition he received from prison authorities. He thanked Mr. Ezra for the support and observed that due to such opportunities, several prisoners could develop a positive attitude.

For these prisoners, the recognition bestowed on them by the prison authorities, in the presence of representatives from the Prison Ministry India, Bro. Arockiam, Selvaraj and Sr. Savari, and Superintendent of Central Prison A. Murugesan, would remain etched in their minds for years to come.

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