New prison products out, international deal in works

Blankets for policemen and government hospitals, artificial flowers and now electrical wires for a Japanese multinational — the Tihar central jail is creating more and more self-employment avenues for inmates who are unable to secure satisfying jobs during its placement drives.

Blankets for policemen and government hospitals, artificial flowers and now electrical wires for a Japanese multinational — the Tihar central jail is creating more and more self-employment avenues for inmates who are unable to secure satisfying jobs during its placement drives.

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“We are in the process of finalising a public private partnership model with Minda Furukawa Electric Pvt. Ltd which manufactures harnesses for cars and is a major vehicle component supplier,” said an official.

On the flip side, however, 18 deaths, including two suicides, took place at Tihar last year. Thirty-one frustrated officials quit their jobs, departmental inquiries were initiated against 35 ‘corrupt’ officials and a single case of sodomy was referred to the police for investigation.

Seven mobile phones were found in the inmates’ possession and four were caught with narcotics last year, prompting the authorities to install full-human body-scanners in each of its nine sub-jails in the coming two months.

“The proposal to install full-body scanners will happen in a matter of a few months. We have got the government’s approval,” said director general (Prisons) Vimla Mehra.

Official estimates put the number of inmates currently employed in varying capacities within jail premises at 600. The annual turnover, according to authorities, generated by inmates last year was Rs. 18 crore. The figure is expected to cross Rs. 26 crore in the current financial year.