First IT Course Completed in Vizag Central Prison

Visakhapatnam: Gandhi Jayanti marked the presentation of IT skill certificates to the 15 prisoners, of whom few are life convicts, in Central Prison, Visakhapatnam, on Friday. The certificates were presented to prisoners who successfully completed an office assistant course, described as the first IT-based skill-development course in the history of the Andhra Pradesh prisons department. The day also marks the Prisoners’ Welfare Day.

The course was aimed at enhancing the technical skills of prisoners and improving their employment opportunities after their release.

Prison superintendent B. Chandrasekhar said so far skills were imparted to 640 prisoners during the last year, who include 120 women.

“We teach them plumbing, welding, jute bag making and tailoring so that they can lead a dignified life after being freed from the prison,” the superintendent said.

Principal district and sessions judge G. Srinivas presided over the programme. District collector M. Abhishikt Kishore and DLSA secretary R. Sanyasi Naidu presented prizes to the prisoners who won various sports and games organised as part of Prisoners’ Welfare Day.

Addressing the gathering, judge G. Srinivas said many people landed in prison due to momentary emotional reactions, adverse circumstances or unforeseen incidents. He urged prisoners to view their time in jail not merely as punishment but also as an opportunity for training and self-reform.

Collector Kishore said inmates were being trained in various courses through the Skill Development Institute and provided employment in prison industries along with wages to facilitate their transformation. He assured support in securing CSR funds for prisoners’ welfare initiatives.

The programme sought to promote positive thinking, self-confidence, skill development and rehabilitation among prisoners.