Bengaluru: As many as 284 convicts including 48 women, who had completed more than 14 years with remission in the prison and had a record of good behaviour during the prison term, walked out of various prisons across the state on the occasion of the Independence Day on Monday.
Out of the 284 lifers, 120 convicts, including 21 women, were released from the Parappana Agrahara central prisons in Bengaluru. The convicts thanked the prison officials for giving them freedom after so many years. Their eyes filled with tears as they were ready to walk out of the jail forever, after languishing between four walls for more than 14 years.
While some of the convicts had their friends and family waiting outside the jail, many walked out alone as no one came to receive them. “It’s the dream of all jail inmates to get into normal life as soon as possible. But the only way to come out soon is to correct themselves and show exemplary behaviour while serving the sentence. I am willing to work if someone offered me a job,” said Ramanna, who was convicted in a murder case.
Hailing from Hoskote, Subramani, who served sentence for 18 years, said, “Yoga changed my life. I learnt it in the jail and I was given an opportunity to teach yoga to other prisoners. It really feels good to be released and I am eager to lead a normal life like others.”
Home Minister Dr G. Parameshwar, who gave the release certificates to the convicts, said that society should welcome the released convicts as they have undergo punishment for the mistakes they committed. “We are trying to hold talks with NGOs and other organisations to help those who are released to get a job,” he said.
