Thrissur Juvenile Board to publish inmates' magazine

KOZHIKODE: A district juvenile justice board (JJB) is publishing a magazine for the first time with the contributions of ‘children in conflict with law’. Inmates of Observation Home and the Place of Safety in Thrissur contribute stories, articles, poems and paintings to Kannadi (Mirror) of Thrissur JJB. Their parents are also writing for the magazine to be out in October.

“While we interact with children and get to know more about them, we realise their creative skills. They have to write about their experiences at the JJB and the community service they had undergone," JJB member Smitha Sathish said. "The writings were excellent. That’s how we thought of giving them a platform to express their talents. We did no editing as we wanted to present what exactly the writer intended to convey.”

Earlier the JJB had conducted painting exhibitions in association with voluntary groups. Many including those from outside the state write in English.  Members of groups associated with JJB programmes are also contributing to the magazine. The JJB had recently launched a warli painting project at Observation Home where they paint the walls using the tribal art form to remove the negative attitude among them and also to create a sense of belonging. Warli painting experts taught them techniques ahead of the project.