The Hindu : Tamil Nadu / Chennai News : Prison industry to manufacture export-oriented products

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Thursday, Oct 23, 2008
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Tamil Nadu

Tamil Nadu - Chennai

Prison industry to manufacture export-oriented products

S. Vijay Kumar

Proposed open air jail will produce eco-friendly bags

CHENNAI: In a bid to enhance the earnings of inmates, the State Prison Department is thinking of including export-oriented products in the prison industry. To begin with, eco-friendly bags will be manufactured in the open air jail coming up in Sivaganga district.

“Besides agricultural operations on the 250-acre campus, we intend to have an export-oriented unit to encourage labour. Since eco-friendly bags are in demand in developed countries, we are thinking of imparting training to inmates by roping in the expertise with the help of NGOs,” Director General of Prisons R. Natraj said on Wednesday.

The Bureau of Police Research and Development (BPR&D) had laid emphasis on better infrastructure for prison industry and effective marketing strategies. Convicts who had completed five years sentence would be shifted to the open air prison.

“The BPR&D has also recommended that wages for prisoners be revised keeping in tune with industry standards. Serving one day in open air prison would entail a convict to get one day remission…it is a 1:1 ratio. Central prisons in Madurai and Tiruchi will be decongested once the open air prison in Sivaganga starts functioning,” he said.

Mr. Natraj said research would be undertaken on the living conditions of women inmates, who have children living with them. The study would focus on the need to create extra facilities such as crèche on special prison campuses.

Deepavali fete

Family members of convicts lodged in the Puzhal central prison here would be invited for a get-together ahead of Deepavali on Thursday.

“We will provide new clothes, sweets and gifts to them. Similar functions will be held in all central prisons in the State before Saturday. On the festival day, special diet will be provided for inmates,” he added.

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