In a first of its kind in the country, a prison in the state will have a e-library facility. As part of the first phase of digitisation of office works, the facility will be launched in Central jail, Poojappura in a month’s time. Inmates can cultivate the habit of e-reading and enhance their creativity after the launch. The e-library will not be limited to digital collection of books, but e-books including Amazon’s Kindle e-book reader will be introduced to prisoners.
The skilled prisoners will be provided with necessary gadgets (Kindles) for reading the e-books. The training to use the kindles with ease is being imparted and a few devices have been purchased for the purpose. The prisoners will be provided with ID cards with necessary bar code for getting easy access to the e-library, sources said.
DIG (Prisons), south zone , B Pradeep, told ‘City Express’, said that the Prisons Department was in the fine tuning the much-awaited project likely to be launched by March-end. “This is a project to tap the talents of prisoners who have a taste in literary works and poems. There are many prisoners here who want to flaunt their talents, but have little exposure to the literary world. Hence this would be a game changer for some of the creative prisoners,” he said.
According to the officials, Rs 4.5 lakh has been granted for the first phase of digitisation of library. The automation will be done in association with the State Bank of Travancore. Currently, the library in the jail houses over 14,000 books that cater to the tastes of voracious readers among prisoners. With the launch of e-library expected in a month, the prisoners can go hi-fi with e-books in hand. For security reasons, e-books will be stored without Internet connectivity.
“The new venture will be implemented to analyse the behavioural patterns of the prisoners. With the support of technology , we can also judge the interest and tastes of prisoners. Apparently, we can bring about a change in the outlook of prisoners. It is some kind of logotherapy to transform their criminal mindset,” said George Chacko, welfare officer, Central Prison, Poojappura.
The Central prison in Poojappura has 1,300 prisoners among whom 350 have been showing keen interest in reading and writing. The officials added that the new facility would urge more prisoners into e book reading and gain skills in technology.
‘215 Life-term Prisoners to be Freed’
T’Puram: Home Minister Ramesh Chennithala on Wednesday said that 215 prisoners serving life imprisonment in Central Prison, Poojappura, would be freed soon. He was speaking after inaugurating the valedictory ceremony of Prison Welfare celebrations held at Central Prison, Poojappura. “The Cabinet decision on releasing the prisoners who have completed 14 years in the prison was taken on Tuesday. However, the Prison Department has been told to list three categories before the release. The convicts who are facing charges of crime against women and children, terrorists and those who are facing charges of hooch tragedy will not be granted the release,” he said. He pointed out that several measures had been taken to modernise the prisons in the state and convert them into a correctional centre literally. Actor Dulquar Salman was the chief guest while H Gopakumar, IG (Prisons) presided over the function.
Highlights
Skilled prisoners will be provided with necessary gadgets (kindles) for reading the e-books
Training for prisoners to use Kindles with ease is underway and a few devices have been purchased for the purpose
The prisoners will be provided with ID cards with necessary bar code for easy access to the e-library
The new initiative is expected to tap the talents of prisoners who have a taste for literature
Rs 4.5 lakh has also been granted for the first phase digitisation of library