The established system of giving prison inmates training in traditional sectors such as weaving and carpentry, among others, is fast being replaced by a slew of new programmes to equip them with skills that can easily fetch them a living when they go out after the end of their prison terms.
Traditional skill development training programmes in jails are no longer attractive for the simple reason that the traditional sectors are no longer seen an attractive sources for earning a decent livelihood. Training programme activities in the Central Prison here over the past two to three years reflect the changing trend. The inmates are now being given training according to their preferences in vocations ranging from food making and tailoring to driving and hair-cutting.
Employment generation
“As the traditional sectors are no longer generating employment as they did in the past, new sectors are being explored where the inmates can earn their livelihood after their release,” said Nirmalanandan Nair, Superintendent of the Central Prison here. He said that more training programmes would be rolled out in the jail soon as part of the activities for welfare of the inmates.
Two months ago, a group of 37 inmates were given training in driving vehicles, including car, autorickshaw and two-wheeler. Special arrangements were made on the jail premises to conduct driving test by the Motor Vehicles Department officials. All except two passed the driving test. Another batch of inmates were given training in Information Technology tools. The jail would soon start a toy-making unit attached to its carpentry wing. The toys would be made of pieces of wood available in jail, they said. Another proposal on the cards is the opening of a two-wheeler workshop for the public to be run by the inmates. According to jail officials efforts are under way to rope in technicians to give them training in two-wheeler repair.
“Such training programmes are yielding good responses from the inmates,” said K.V. Mukesh, Regional Prison Welfare Officer (North Zone), who had earlier served as Welfare Officer in the Central Jail here. ‘Phoenix Freedom Xpressions’, the men’s beauty parlour opened on the jail premises here last year, is the first such initiative to be started in the jail and run by the inmates, he said adding that 30 inmates had been given beautician course training.
Two batches of inmates are also given training in food-making as the food products made by the inmates are in great demand. The shop, Xperience, near the jail sells garments and artefacts made by the inmates. The inmates are also being given short-course training in coconut plucking and apiculture, the jail authorities said.
