The Prison Department has opened a tailoring outlet engaging life convicts at the Prison Bazaar. The inmates would stitch clothes for the general public at a lesser rate and help prisoners in their rehabilitation.
Two lifers have been engaged in the tailoring outlet and to begin with one sewing machine has been provided by the department. The convicts chosen for the outlet were already trained in this trade.
The convicts have been chosen based on their good conduct and their professional skills. The convicts would also stitch uniforms for the police personnel.
Deputy Inspector General of Prisons, Tiruchi Range, G. Shanmugasundaram on Monday opened the outlet which would function from 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. The tailoring charge has been kept less to benefit general public.
For instance, the cost of stitching a full hand shirt has been fixed at ₹175 and ₹200 for pant.
The outlet would charge ₹150 for churidha, ₹80 for a jacket, ₹ 150 for small churidhar and ₹125 for half- hand shirt.
The opening of the outlet is yet another measure put in place by the department to rehabilitate lifers and engage them in a productive vocation that would fetch them wages. The wages would be deposited in their account, said Mr. Shanmugasundaram. The Central Prison already has a garment unit inside. Depending on the demand from general public, more convicts would be engaged at the outlet and additional sewing machines provided, he added.