Skill development training to prisoners in AP

Vijayawada: Home minister Taneti Vanita has advised the prison authorities to provide suitable skill and employment training to jail inmates in such a way that they can get employment immediately after they are released.

The minister reviewed the conditions in various jails at a meeting held in the Amaravati Secretariat, which was attended by officials of the prisons department. She asked the superintendents whether CC cameras have been set up in various jails as was advised earlier. They said “most” of them are functional.

Vanita said it was important to ensure that those coming out of jail do not commit fresh crimes. Officials should effect positive changes in their behaviour.

Principal secretary, home, Harish Gupta, said several vacancies in the Central jails, district jails and sub jails are required to be filled without delay. There was also a need for more vehicles, he told the minister.

Prisons DGP Hasan Raja explained the conditions in various prisons through a powerpoint presentation. He explained about the food and other facilities provided to prisoners as per the rules. He also informed about the various employment training programmes as also the primary and adult education programmes for prisoners.

“There are eight skill training centers in the four central jails through which prisoners are being given training in various trades. Two prisoners have won gold medals from the BR Ambedkar Open University, he said.