The prison department has ensured employment for 50 inmates of Vellore Central Prison for Men well ahead of their release under the prisoners’ rehabilitation programme. The prisoners, who underwent a month-long training, received the appointment letter from a private security agency on Wednesday.
Additional Superintendent of Police (ADSP), Prisons, C Krishnakumar said they had encouraged the inmates to enrol themselves for the parade training with an assurance of employment.
“There was a lack of interest among the inmates in joining the training programme but it gained momentum and attracted a good number of prisoners within a few days after the training commenced,” he said.
Chief Warden Panneerselvam along with few other personnel conducted the training programme for the first batch, comprising 50 inmates, in January this year.
The department also utilized the skills of two inmates, an army man and a policeman, who were undergoing life imprisonment in murder cases, to train the convicts. The programme also helped immensely to discipline the convicts, said another prison official.
Superintending Engineer of Tamil Nadu Police Housing Corporation K Thennarasu handed over the appointment order for the posts of security guards, who were recruited by Surya Security Service in Vellore, to the first batch on Wednesday. The private security agency absorbed the entire batch after seeing their impressive parade on the occasion. Superintendent of the Prison V Karuppannan was also present on the occasion.
“After their release, they will join the security agency as security guards. We will start training the coming batches as per the needs and demands of the job providers,” said Jailer G Thamarai Selvan.
The administration of the prison has been contemplating to start the training programme for the second batch within a week. “We are creating an opportunity under the rehabilitation programme for the inmates to redeem their self-esteem and get rid of their past,” said the ADSP.
Retired Head Constable of Central Reserve Police Force (CRPF) and Managing Director of Surya Security Services B Balasubramani said they would recruit inmates, who had completed the training programme, for the posts of field officers, clerk, security officer, assistant security officers and security guards based on their education qualification and capability. “We pay anything between `5,000 and `7,000 per month for security guards apart from free accommodation. The salary will differ for other postings. We will also provide them benefits such as PF, ESI and insurance cover,” he said.