Nagpur: The Department of Development of Skills, Work and Entrepreneurship, and Prison Authorities arranged to hand in hand to make the Nagpur Center Prison into ‘Skills Center’ for Reform and Rehabilitation of Inmates.
The Department of Development of Skills and Prison Authorities initially focused on the women’s prison section of the Nagpur Center, having around 75 inmates, but also plans to expand their vision to include male parts.
Activities will empower prisoners with training to get livelihoods after stepping out.
The purpose of this project is to ensure prisoners can return to the mainstream of the community.
Assistant Commissioner Development of Skills, Employment and Entrepreneurship Department, PG Harde, said the inmates would get access to the vocational training course under the Pradhan Mantri Kaushalya Vikas Yojana (PMKvy).
“We will also provide certificates to prisoners who have become several vocational crafts such as carpentry, handloom, and other work units that have been in prison, under ‘recognition of previous learning,” Harde said.
He added that the certificate incurred will be recognized throughout India.
Harde said the prison already had infrastructure for training, which could be expanded to explore more options in the list of around 3,000 courses with the skill development department.
“The middle prison already has a computer lab.
It can be used to train inmates in a number of cases such as data entries, tally and so on, which are in demand today,” he said.
Harde also said that women can also have a number of skills development courses taught to them in prison.
“We will advise inmates, tell them the importance of learning some skills that generate income and then register them in their chosen course, which also corresponds to their abilities and interests,” he said.
Prison SP Anup Kumre said prisoners had received training in vocational courses and crafts by an expert, but the involvement of the skill development department would make a more concrete rehabilitation plan.
“Maharashtra Arthik Vikas Mahamandal will also get along to help and guide women’s inmates to buy loans to establish their own businesses after being prepared in some certain skills,” Kumre said.
He added that the prison had produced more than RS1.50 Lakh from Rakhis sales and it was his equipment.
“We are now trying to set outlets and stalls to show off and sell items made by prison inmates,” he said.