If the Telangana State Prisons Department has its way, convicts serving time will land a job before their release. The department is planning to organise campus recruitments frequently across all jails in the State to ensure ex-convicts get an opportunity to earn a livelihood up their on release.
Trained in crafts
“Almost all the prisoners get trained in various crafts and trades while they are serving the jail term. Moreover, jails also have facilities for higher education through distance education . So, we are writing to different companies to organise campus recruitments,” Deputy Inspector General Prisons, A. Narsimha said.
The prisons department has also launched project ‘Maha Parivarthan’, a programme aimed at reforming and rehabilitating prisoners. “The department will play the role of the placement agency for the prisoners and help them find employment. If they are employed, they will stay away from crime,” the official said. He requested business houses to come forward and provide employment.
Prison authorities also plan to start another open air jail in the State. For this, the officials have written to the district collectors of Mahabubnagar, Nalgonda and Rangareddy districts to allot between 500 and 1,000 acres of land. “If the land is allotted, we will start small industrial units and farming,” Mr. Narsimha said.
An open air jail exists at a 120-acre land parcel in Cherlapally.
Recently, new buildings and facilities costing Rs. 20 crore were constructed at the Chanchalguda and Cherlapally prisons. The buildings have barracks to accommodate those involved in terror-related cases, those convicted under Prevention of Dangerous Activities Act, a general barrack and a VIP barrack. A visitors lounge, conference halls and spa have also been created in the new buildings.
Prison authorities plan to start another open air jail in the State
