The Viyyur Central Jail, which has introduced many novel projects for its inmates, is all set to have its own radio transmission.
Freedom Melody Radio will have radio jockeys as inmates themselves. Freedom Melody, the music band of the inmates, is behind the initiative.
All the 800-odd prisoners can enjoy the radio programmes.
A first of its kind in the State, the one-hour transmission every day evening will have Sruthilayam - a programme for favourite songs, important news related to prisons, prime-time news, awareness about criminal laws and major court orders; Cine Talkies – for film criticism; and health news.
The programmes can be heard through speakers installed at all sections in the prison.
The initiative will encourage the creative talents of the inmates, points out jail superintendent M.K. Vinod. The Viyyur jail has introduced many ventures such as food production, preparation of craft items like ‘Nettippattam’, a music band and organic farming as a correctional programme for the inmates.
The chappattis from the jail, which is being marketed in the brand name of Freedom Chappattis, is a huge hit in the market.
Agriculture Minister V.S. Sunil Kumar switched on the Freedom Melody Radio on Monday and distributed certificates of vocational training programme conducted jointly by the Central Prison and Correctional Home, Viyyur, and the State Resource Centre.
The training was provided for 15 inmates with the cooperation of National Skill Development Corporation. The Advance Diploma in Optic Fibre ad CCTV Surveillance course was completed online. The government has allotted ₹13 lakh for the vocational training of the inmates.
He also released the newly introduced range of products from the jail, including soap powder, hand wash, dish wash, and chicken fry.
