Kozhikode: The month-long training provided to inmates of district jail here in using latest farm equipment has got a tremendous response, prompting prison authorities to seek its extension to Kannur Central jail.
The training programme exposed the prisoners to the latest technologies available in the country, viz., trailed sprayer, harvester, farm truck, conveyor belt, sprinkler system and transplanter.
"The programme is a follow-up of several social events being launched among the prisoners to reform their minds. Further, acquiring skills to use the latest technology would enable them to find a job once they come out of the jail," said deputy inspector general of prisons (north) Shivadas. K Thaipparambil.
Thirteen prisoners, divided into five groups, got an hour long training every day under the programme organised in association with Kelappaji College of Agricultural Engineering and Technology, Thavanur, and agricultural engineering wing of agricultural department.
Encouraged by the response, Thavanur College had informed the jail authorities that providing further training with an eye on job market would fetch more results.
"The problem is that there are no special funds allotted for the training to continue. The college had borne all the expenses. We are thinking about setting aside some money under prisoners' welfare fund," Mr Thaipparambil said.
Considering that the farm related training had more prospects in a large jail like Kannur, the DIG had written to the college authorities to expand it there.
"The vocational training definitely would help prisoners to find a job," P. Ajaykumar, superintendent of Kozhikode jail which has around 500 prisoners of which only 70 are convicts.
