In an attempt to give a new lease of life to prisoners who want to turn over a new leaf, the state government has teamed up with a few private companies to provide them with job opportunities.
To this effect, Commercial Taxes Minister C.V. Shanmugam on Wednesday handed over appointment orders to 30 prisoners who were released from the Puzhal jail and placed as security personnel in a private company.
Prisoners who want to start afresh are isolated at an intensive reformation centre inside the prison premises where they are trained to work in companies in order to lead a normal life.
The centre, popularly known as the “ashram” inside the prison, has meditation sessions for prisoners with ADGP Prisons, Mr Dogra personally training them in yoga and meditation for three hours daily. Moreover, the prison wardens themselves take the responsibility of teaching the prisoners.
“When I took a tour of the prison today, I was surprised to see the prison wardens dressed up like college lecturers with ironed shirts and neck ties reading to the ‘students’. This improves the bond among them and makes them want to see the prisoners lead a decent life with a regular job when they are released,” said Mr Shanmugam while handing over the appointment orders to the prisoners.
Mr Suhail Sarfaraz, MD of Exotic Vision Securitas and Facility Services said that the company was planning to recruit more prisoners if the initiative became successful.