In an attempt to further employ the inmates at the Coimbatore Central Prison and prevent smuggling of contraband from outside, prison authorities opened a new stall - ‘Freedom Prison Bazaar’ - here on Wednesday.
Superintendent of Police, Coimbatore Central Prison, R. Krishnaraj, inaugurated it.
Mr. Krishnaraj told The Hindu that the stall would be open from 7 a.m. to 5 p.m. every day except on government holidays.
“Breakfast and lunch will be sold from Thursday in addition to bakery items,” he said. Three inmates would be employed at this stall, who will change between the West Gate stall, petrol bunk and semi open-air jail on a rotational basis, Mr. Krishnaraj said. Those inmates with a good conduct and who were eligible for the annual 15-day parole would be selected by the Deputy Inspector General of Prisons for employment in these outlets, he said.
“We wanted to help the visitors buy some items when they visit the inmates,” Mr. Krishnaraj said.
Mr. Krishnaraj hoped that the initiative would curb attempts by inmates to smuggle contraband from outside as the stall is run under police supervision.
Echoing similar sentiments, a prison warder, who was managing the stall, said that some items brought by the visitors tend to affect the health of the inmates.
“[This stall] is not meant for profit, it is only for the welfare of inmates,” the warder said.
