VOCATIONAL TRAINING TO CONVICTED PRISONERS THROUGH SKILL DEVELOPMENT PROGRAMMES: INDIAN CONTEXT

Abstract

Vocational training is one of the major tools for reformation and rehabilitation of the convicted prisoners in correctional Institutions. In India, the vocational training programmes provide opportunities for the prison inmates to engage themselves in fruitful pursuits during the term of their sentence in jails. Such training not only provides prison inmates value for their work but also helps in developing the prisoners learning skills which can enable them to follow a vocation after release from the jail. In India, during the year 2015: (i) A total of 52,105 inmates were trained under various vocational training programmes in different jails. (ii) The maximum number of 8,473 inmates were imparted training in weaving followed by carpentry (5,762), tailoring (4,744) and agricultural activities and (iii) The highest number of inmates trained in tailoring, weaving and making of soap & phenyl were reported from Punjab which stood at 906,919 and 214 inmates respectively.1 In odisha, a total of 937 inmates were trained under various vocational training programmes in various prisons such as carpentry-20 inmates, tailoring-130-inmates, weaving-390-inmates, making of soap & phenyl-45 inmates, handloom-211 inmates and others-141 inmates at the end of 2015.2

The present paper discusses how vocational training is being imparted and how it has been improving the work-skills of the prisoners in jail. The paper also focuses on the allotment of vocational training among the prisoners and its usefulness after release from prison for reformation, rehabilitation & re-socialization as a good citizen.