Representative image Proposes to operate fly-ash brick kiln and a petrol pump by inmates NEW DELHI: A more than a century-old circle jail in Odisha’s tribal-dominated Koraput district is synchronizing ‘crime and punishment’ with ‘reforms and income’ to enable prisoners to sale various items produced by using their skills in handicrafts, agriculture, tailoring, weaving and by operating fabrication and pulverizing units. Established in 1908 and having a capacity of 1003 prisoners, a surprise visit by Justice Sanjeeb Panigrahi of Orissa HC and his suggestions opened a new chapter for the prison and its inmates – upgrading of sanitation infrastructure, hygienic condition and establishment of small-scale industrial infrastructure. Jail authorities also started honing and imparting skills and crafts to inmates in weaving, growing vegetables, tailoring, and fabricating metal products.
“These products and vegetables are sold regularly in specially organized markets. The sale of these products, including for the current financial year, is expected to touch Rs 80 lakhs by March 31, 2025,” Jailor L B Dash told TOI. The Jail has already deposited around 50 lakhs as revenue receipts with the state government.
Rest of the amount is paid directly into the bank accounts of the inmates at the rate of Rs 145 per day for skilled labour, Rs 110 for semi-skilled, and Rs 95 for unskilled ones, senior Jail superintendent Kuanr Marandi said. Of around 500 inmates, 128 have chosen to .
