The winds of change sweeping through the Central Prison at Poojappura, visible right from the high walls that now spot a pleasant pista colour instead of the dull stone grey, are being felt within the walls too. The prisoners here, who made the ‘Samrakhsa’ brand of chapattis popular, are now using their skills for mass production of shirts that will be sold under the same brand name.
The production of shirts, launched by State Police Chief-designate T.P. Senkumar at the manufacturing unit of the prison on Thursday, is expected to gain momentum this month with the arrival of more power looms for the weaving unit. The shirts will reach the sales counter of the Prisons Headquarters by the end of June. The prisoners, who were given 12 sewing machines last week, have already begun production on a small scale. Mr. Senkumar purchased two shirts, priced at Rs.266 a piece, from the first batch.
According to Jail Superintendent Sam Thankayyan, the weaving unit here would be the main supplier of the cloth, while the 13-strong tailoring unit, which currently supplies uniforms to all the prisons in the State, would step up efforts to produce at least 50 shirts a day. A buttonhole machine, cutting and sewing machines and other necessary equipment are ready for the Rs.5-lakh project, he said.
Mr. Senkumar, who has promised that the daily wages of the prisoners in the manufacturing unit would be hiked from Rs.30, has suggested seeking the help of a professional fashion designer for contemporary designs for the shirts. The possible wage hike would be for all the manufacturing units in the prison, including weaving, tailoring, carpentry and smithy units.
The tailoring unit caters to all the clothing needs of prisoners across the State while the smithy supplies utensils. There is a soap and phenyl lotion making unit as well.