The scope of vocational activity for convicts in Central Prison, Tiruchi, is poised to enlarge soon with mass production of toilet and detergent soaps expected to commence in January.
With the State government already having sanctioned funds for the plan, orders have been placed for supply of machinery and equipment. They are expected to be installed either in December end or January, prison authorities said here.
Prior to commencing production, a select group of convicts, who will be engaged in the manufacturing process, will be given short-term orientation training by utilising the services of non-government organisations.
This is the first time that production of toilet and detergent soaps is to be taken up at the Tiruchi Prison, which houses convicts, undertrials and remand prisoners, a senior department official said. The plan is to manufacture 1,000 toilet soaps and 500 detergent soaps in every batch.
Around 10 to 15 convicts are proposed to be involved in the new venture as yet another rehabilitation initiative, which will ensure wages for the inmates, the official added. The prison department will provide wages to the identified convicts involved in the manufacture depending on their skills. The wages will differ for skilled, semi-skilled and unskilled.
The State government had already granted a sum of ₹49 lakh for the project of which ₹ 28 lakh has been apportioned for toilet soaps manufacture and the remaining ₹21 lakh for production of detergent soaps. A separate area within the sprawling jail premises will be utilised for production of soaps and packaging.
The manufactured products are planned to be sold to public under the brand name ‘Freedom’ through the Prison Bazaar functioning at the entrance of the Central Jail here, the official said. Convicts in Tiruchi Prison are already engaged in making file pads, book binding, tailoring and weaving for which they get wages.
