New Delhi: In a unique initiative to spread public awareness, Puducherry prison has launched comprehensive prison reform program in association with Aurobindo society and Vivekananda college with respect to skill development.
The inauguration ceremony took place inside the premises of prison. S Kumar, Chief superintendent of jail and Gobinath, Superintendent of jail welcomed all the guests on behalf of prison dept. Ravideep Singh Chahar, IG prisons also addressed all the distinguished guests, inmates and prison staff and outlined the various initiatives that will be taken up for the welfare of inmates, prison staff and their family members as well. Mr Vijay Bodar, executive member of Aurobindo Society, Mr Subramanian, founder of Vivekananda community college and Smt Chitra, director Satya Special School also addressed the inmates.
“Today, we have laid the foundation of comprehensive prison reform program in association with Aurobindo society and Vivekananda Community College and Satya special school with respect to skill development and further we have tied up with Pondicherry University and Pondicherry Institute of Medical Sciences (PIMS) for free counseling and psychiatric treatment of inmates. So far, counseling of inmates was never been done in the prison as we did not have trained psychologist in prison so this will be a first-of-its kind effort and will help inmates immensely,” IG Prisons Ravideep Singh Chahar said.
“The inmates held an amazing display of yoga and diverse cultural program showcasing their talents and we distributed sweets to them. I also explained the various initiatives that we plan to take for the inmates as well as the prison staff in the coming 6 months to an year. We inaugurated home decor unit as well which will develop products that will be sold through Aurobindo society outlets and earn income for inmates. Subsequently, gaushala and organic farming is also on the anvil. Goal is to develop Puducherry prison a model prison in the coming year !!, ” IG Prisons further added.
The prison management is trying to convert it into a new prison model. Inmates will be provided training in home decoration, bike/motor mechanic, computer training, cow and poultry farming.
The ability to improve livelihoods will be taught in the prison and home-made items made by prisoners will be sold offline and online by the Aurobindo Society.
