Cuttack/Bhubaneswar: The sound-proof radio room comes alive as ‘Azad Vani’ goes on air. A new day, a new show awaits 20 inmates of Bhubaneswar Special Jail in Odisha, who are being trained as radio jockeys.
The prison, located in the state capital’s Jharpada area, and the Choudwar Circle Jail in Cuttack, have been imparting new-age skill development training to prisoners so they can earn a livelihood once they step out of jail. The initiative started last November.
Manoj Chhabra, director general (prisons) and director of correctional services, Odisha, told ThePrint, “Traditional skill development programmes like carpentry, welding, handloom are already in place, but we wanted to upgrade it across prisons in the state. With assistance from the state government, we have begun RJ course, salon course, paramedics course, and we are also counselling the inmates every day to ensure their mental health is prioritised.”
The initiative will be expanded to other jails in the state once the required infrastructure is in place, Chhabra added.
According to prison officials, the Bhubaneswar jail has 1,236 inmates including 1,176 men, 58 women and two transgender persons, while the Cuttack jail has 1,119 men and 39 women.
Cuttack-based non-profit The Amulya Jeevan Foundation (AJF) plays a constructive role in rehabilitation of inmates at both jails. RJ Komal of Radio Choklate — a private radio station in Odisha — has collaborated with AJF in her private capacity to train inmates in the RJ course and the two are providing six-month certificate courses to inmates at the Bhubaneswar jail.
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‘Will help us earn once we are out’
An undertrial lodged in Bhubaneswar Special Jail, who hails from Jaipur, told ThePrint: “We produce our own shows which are played across the cells throughout the day. We broadcast news, make jingles, play music and also do interviews…This is a creative field and will help us to earn a living once we are released. We can compare shows, start a podcast or join a radio station.”
According to RJ Komal, the response to the RJ training course has been great so far. “We not only teach the technical aspects of being a jockey but also how to operate the equipment and host a show on air. This is an enthusiastic batch, they plan their shows in advance and have great ideas.”
As Shweta Kanungo, head (programs) at the Amulya Jeevan Foundation, took rounds of the Bhubaneswar jail, enthusiastic inmates gave her detailed updates on their classes and the new skills they picked up.
“I spend such a fulfilling time here in the prisons. The inmates are wonderful and they have the eagerness to learn. Some write beautiful poetry, some have excellent handiwork skills and to get an opportunity to interact with them, I also learn new things,” she added.
In Cuttack, there are two batches of inmates being trained as beauticians. This programme is a hit among both men and women.
“We are teaching the women threading, waxing, facials and basic make-up. The response has been wonderful. We have 39 women and 30 men taking this training. The men are taught haircut, shaving, facials, pedicure,” Sushmita Das, a trainer, told ThePrint.
A resident of Cuttack who is lodged in the Choudwar jail, said he wants to open a salon of his own once he is released. “We undergo training for four hours daily and we look forward to this class. We really enjoy learning new skills every week.”
Pradipta Kumar Behera, senior superintendent, Choudwar Circle Jail, explained the importance of this training.
“The inmates usually spiral into depression once they are jailed. They are anxious and uncertain what the future holds. Such upgraded skill development training in keeping with today’s professions helps them not only to secure their future later but also engage their minds while undergoing prison time,” he told ThePrint.
The names of the inmates have been withheld upon request.
(Edited by Anumeha Saxena)
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