The Hindu : Tamil Nadu News : A novel way to reform prison inmates

Online edition of India's National Newspaper
Tuesday, Nov 27, 2007
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Tamil Nadu

Tamil Nadu

A novel way to reform prison inmates

L. Renganathan

At the Karur Sub-Jail, they are being given books to read on the occasion of Library Week celebrations

new initiative : Karur Superintendent of Police K.Shanmugavel handing over a book to an inmate of the sub-jail in Karur on the occasion of the Library Week celebrations, on Monday.

KARUR: While a person can be confined to the four walls of a room, his mind cannot be interned. And what better way to reform a penitentiary than provide him good books?

The Karur District Central Library authorities and Readers’ Forum members have done precisely that for the benefit of the inmates of the Sub-Jail here recently.

Coinciding with the National Library Week celebrations, the Department of Public Library authorities and the District Central Library authorities, joined hands with a few good samaritans to provide thought-provoking books to the inmates. “Had I read this book or got such an opportunity earlier, you would not have certainly met me here,” said Thangaraj, an inmate.

Vijayakumar claimed that he had never ever come across such an occasion and was awestruck by the “successful” people who came to help him. He said he had developed a strong desire to achieve a “measure of success” like his newfound friends.

The books that were provided to the inmates immediately inspired Shankar, who had discontinued studies after Standard VIII. He now wants to pursue graduate studies in Tamil. The jail authorities have promised him support.

An impressed Superintendent of Police K. Shanmugavel drove home the significance of the occasion saying good books were a good guide to a better life.

The habit of reading good books would certainly prevent people from committing crimes, he said.

Authorities were more intent on reforming prisoners than simply jailing them, Mr. Shanmugavel said, adding inspiring books of great personalities and biographieswould do good to the inmates.

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