VIJAYAPURA: While many jails are struggling to maintain prisoners, the
Vijayapura Central Jail, which had set up a quarantine system at a cost of Rs 4.50 lakh last year, is now producing carpets,
blankets and face masks after taking its
inmates into confidence.
Jail superintendent I J Myageri, who has been honoured with the Chief Minister’s Medal for his work during 2020-12, told TOI that the initiative is aimed at instilling social responsibility among the inmates.
So far, they have prepared 14,000 masks and supplied (free of cost) to the departments of police, judiciary,
Home Guards and others. They have also stitched 1,700 pairs of police uniform in the last one year, Myageri added.
The inmates are also making carpets and blankets of different sizes, besides towels, lungis and handkerchieves. “We have set up a stall in the jail premises for the public to buy our products. We have sold products worth of Rs 25,000 in April alone. At present, non-government organisations are buying our products, and the sales proceeds are deposited in Prisoners’ Welfare Fund,” he explained.
Vinayak Kathare, one of the buyers, said the carpets and blankets are on a par with any textile brand. “After getting quality products at a nominal price, I recommend others too to buy from here,” he added.
The central jail, housing 638 inmates, is the first to set up a “quarantine jail”, wherein 15 new inmates will stay for 14 days before entering the main jail, along with Covid negative report. The system is being followed by other jails in the state now.
Apart from making textile products, prisoners are also encouraged in gardening — they are growing over 10 types of vegetables.
The officials have also set up a video call facility for the inmates to virtually interact with their family members as their in-person meet is banned due to the pandemic.