They are behind bars for heinous crimes, but instead of sulking in their cells, some high-profile prisoners are using their ‘expertise’ to contribute towards bettering facilities in the Tihar jail and for its inmates.
Socialite Jessica Lall murder convict Manu Sharma, law student Priyadarshini Mattoo murder convict Santosh Singh, Shivani Bhatnagar murder case convict R K Sharma and RJD MP Pappu Yadav are some of the prisoners who have been sharing their acumen in respective fields in various activities concerning the prison.
“These high profile prisoners are constantly in the endeavour to do some good for the prison and its inmates. Manu Sharma has helped in improving the turnover of the jail factory, R K Sharma is helping the prisoners with their legal rights and Pappu Yadav has contributed towards the sports promotion inside the prison,” a jail official said.
The official said Manu Sharma’s business skills has helped in increasing the jail factory’s turnover this year to Rs 11.5 crores, which is almost double than last year’s.
Senior IPS officer R K Sharma who is serving life imprisonment for planning the murder of former journalist Shivani Bhatnagar is also helping the prisoners secure their rights using the RTI.
The official also credited Sharma for his efforts that led to prisoners’ being allowed to avail telephone facility within the high-security campus.
Priyadarshini Mattoo’s rape and murder convict Santosh Singh who is a qualified criminal lawyer is providing legal aid to many fellow prisoners.
Bihar politician Pappu Yadav, also a murder convict “has helped in sports promotion inside the prison. Any sports event inside the jail has huge participation by prisoners and it is so well organised that we have even invited a celebrity to inaugurate these events,” the official said.
