Sitarganj jail plans to integrate inmates with mainstream life

RUDRAPUR: Scores of prisoners serving life sentence in Central Jail and adjacent Sampurnanand Camp Jail in Sitarganj will soon be stitching uniforms for the workers of State Industrial Development Corporation of Uttarakhand Ltd (SIDCUL).
A dialogue between jail authorities and industrialists of SIDCUL has been held and soon half acre of land at the Central Jail will be used for this work.
Jail superintendent TD Joshi said the inmates will get better employment opportunities through this project and dialogue for the same has been held with the management of different companies of Sitarganj industrial estate. Joshi told TOI that the management of the related industries will soon sign an agreement to set up a plant over an empty land in the jail.
"We are also in talks with district administration to allow us to stitch uniforms of children studying in government schools,” Joshi said.
President of Sitarganj Sidcul Welfare Association, Suresh Kumar said it's a good idea to involve inmates in industrial operations, as it will not only increase their incomes but will also bring them close to the society.
The Sitarganj central jail is operated in ninety acres of land in Sampurnanand open prison camp. The jail has a plot of half acre area vacant for establishing a small scale industry over it. Currently, the sentenced prisoners are involved in cultivation over the land of open jail, which earns them some money too. Also these inmates are also kept engaged in the departmental tasks of the jail.