Soon, massive education drive for inmates of correctional homes in state

Kolkata: The state Self-Help Group and Self-Employment (SHG & SE) department has collaborated with the department of Correctional Services for a massive education drive through the process of vocational training programme for the inmates of the correctional homes across the state.

"Our sole objective is to prevent recidivism and with this objective we have adopted the policy to train inmates of correctional homes in various trades to develop their skill & expertise, so that they get employment after their release," said Ujjal Biswas, minister for Correctional Services department.

The West Bengal Swarojgar Corporation Ltd (WBSCL), an undertaking of the state SHG & SE department that imparts skill-based job oriented training to unemployed people will launch this programme in the correctional homes

"Our main target group for the training will be those inmates who are slated to complete their prison term within a period of six months to one year. We will train them in a way so that they become self-reliant. Inmates, who will be trained under this programme, will get financial assistance after their release from correctional homes," a senior official of WBSCL said.

The inmates after their release will be linked with the flagship scheme — Swami Vivekananda Swanirbhar Karmasanasthan Prakalpa — to support them for self employment. Around 30 inmates from each of correctional home will receive training and will be awarded certificates after successful completion of the training.

The superintendents of central and district correctional homes as well as the social welfare offices in the correctional homes has made a study on the vocation, depending upon the interest of the inmates.

The WBSCL has already prepared a training calendar and have designated agencies for each of the 20 correctional homes which will come under the aegis of the training in the first phase.

The agencies under the WBSCL who will impart the training will provide the necessary infrastructure and equipment of the

programme.

It may be mentioned that there are as many as 78 vocations in which the WBSCL provides training.

The total cost for the project is around Rs 2 crore and for the first year it will involve Rs 1 crore.

The WBSCL has sanctioned Rs 50 lakhs and deposited the same as advance to the West Bengal Prisoners Welfare Fund.