Trained, 700 Tihar inmates get jobs with freedom

The programme for training undertrial prisoners was launched in early 2023

Some 700 inmates have found employment on their release from Delhi’s Tihar Jail and another 12,00 are undergoing training to work in various sectors once they are released, according to Tihar's Director General (prisons) Sanjay Baniwal.

In an interaction with an agency’s editors at its headquarters on Monday, Baniwal, a 1989 batch IPS officer said that he is happy to see the inmates are getting employment after spending their jail term.

Beniwal, who had a stint as Chandigarh DGP, has been posted as Tihar DG since November 2022.

Replying to a question over jail reforms during his tenure in Tihar, Baniwal said, “We have started skill development programmes with the help of the Urban Development Ministry in the prisons. Under this programme, around 700 inmates have been absorbed in the hotel industry and 1,200 are getting training for jobs in hospitals."

The programme for training undertrial prisoners was launched in early 2023.

Baniwal said skilling and empowering inmates is something that makes them feel worthy. “I saw the smile and twinkle in their eyes when they got their certificates and offer letters to work outside,” he said.

On the issue of overcrowding in Tihar jail, which has 20,000 inmates against its sanctioned strength of 10,000, Baniwal said building more jails is not a solution. Delhi has three prison complexes -Tihar, Rohini and Mandoli -and all of them comprise central jails. “Maybe, we can look for other options or better ways of punishing, at least those who are delinquent,” he said. On privatising jails like in foreign some countries, Baniwal said that despite privatization, the US jails are overcrowded.

"I am planning to start an 'after release care centre' where we will follow them up after they come out," the DG said.