The handicrafts made by the inmates in prisons across Punjab would be brought to the local market for sale.
The items made by prisoners included carpets, paintings, clothes for men, women and children’s clothing, as well as sports equipment, cricket balls, footballs and other products by hand. Reportedly, the inmates’ products will be on display at local art galleries in each district.
At least 50% of the earnings from handicrafts will be used for the welfare of the inmates and the rest will be provided to them as wages.
Prisons Department sources told The Express Tribune that an exhibition of handicrafts made by inmates was recently organised in Faisalabad in which carpets, prayer mats, paintings, footballs, decorative pieces and other products made by the prisoners were displayed.
In the exhibition, not only the citizens but also the capitalists have shown great interest and appreciated the skills of the prisoners.
In view of the interest of investors in the exhibition of products manufactured by the prisoners in Faisalabad, it has now been decided that the skills of the prisoners in the jails of the entire Punjab will be highlighted in the market.
For this, the products manufactured by skilled inmates in the respective jails in each district will first be exhibited in the local art galleries and community halls and prison products will be made available in the market.
Sources revealed that a three-member board of the prisons department would be constituted in this regard which would allow the products manufactured in the prisons to be brought to the market after reviewing their quality. Reportedly, the inmates in jails across Punjab have been taught skills so that they could emerge as skilled citizens during and after their imprisonment.
This process would not only boost the local industry but also increase the revenue generated from the budget spent in jails across Punjab and skilled prisoners will get their right.
Published in The Express Tribune, September 5th, 2020.
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