Boosting the self esteem of district jail inmates here is a decision to allow them to sit on chairs rather than on the floor while participating in programmes held inside the jail compound.
A women’s social service organisation ‘WALK,’ has come forward to donate as many as 200 chairs for them.
It was during a counselling programme the organisation conducted earlier for a group of prisoners in the jail here that they realised the lacuna of an “important basic facility,” at the jail, said Laila Ashraf, president of WALK.
“Getting to sit on a chair instead of the floor can definitely add on to their self esteem, which can help their mental transformation,” said Ms. Ashraf. Jail Superintendent K. Ajay Kumar said ensuring basic facilities for the inmates was crucial, as it was part of jail reforms.
“All these years, they used to sit on the floor to enjoy cultural programmes even during the jail-day celebrations,” said Mr. Kumar.
Psychological push
The new facility will definitely give them a psychological push upwards, he added.
The armless plastic chairs donated by the women’s forum were handed over by Ms. Ashraf to the Jail Superintendent during a function in the jail compound here on Friday.
Deputy Inspector General Prisons (North Zone) Sivadas K. Thaiparambil inaugurated the programme.
WALK secretary Safiya Ali and Assistant Superintendent Rasheeda Mohammed, among others, were present on the occasion.
The WALK officebearers including Ms. Ashraf, who is also a counsellor, interacted with the inmates of the jail during the function.
Ms. Ashraf also spoke of the importance of improving the jail facilities in bringing a mental behavioural reform among prisoners.
A women’s social service organisation donates 200 chairs to Kozhikode district jail.
