TO set up a garment factory inside a jail to use prisoners idle manpower to productive and income generating activities is no double a very dynamic move that deserves appreciation from all quarters. Home Minister Asaduzzaman Khan Kamal inaugurated the factory on Wednesday inside the Narayanganj District Jail to facilitate prisoners to engage in remunerative jobs. We must say the move envisioned by the Minister will indeed produce far-reaching results to slowly bring basic reform in the prison system. We are sure it will bring meaningful correction to the way of life of the persons who have entered in the jail as convicted criminals.
Putting a convict in jail initially means it is a punishment. But it also looks way forward to bring change in his or her criminal mindset to make the person better human being. But that part of the imprisonment was so far visibly missing or not being usefully pursued because of treating prisoners as sub-standard human beings. The new move to be gradually spread to all jails as the Minister said is poised to bring that change in the persons – be it men or women – to shift the bonded belief that they are doomed as criminals and have nothing to contribute to the nation and to themselves.
Perhaps Bangladesh will be the first in the region to think of using prisoners from such corrective and commercial perspectives although traditionally all prisons keep their prisoners engaged in some cottage type industrial activities to keep them busy. But the difference here is that the workers in the prison factory named as Resilience Garments Industry and Jamdani Production Center will earn wages. They will be able to credit money to their account to be withdrawal at the time of their release from the prison or send it to families to mitigate their sufferings. It will surely have manifolds effects. We know we have a corrupt system everywhere, yet it will inspire people to think and do better.
Narayanganj jail has 2,150 inmates. Between 300 and 400 prisoners have received training from Bangladesh Knitwear Manufacturers and Exporters Association (BKMEA) to run the factory in two shifts. The garment factory has been built on 5,000 square feet area with the help of the District Administration and the Department of Social Services. Over 57 imported sewing machines have been installed and based on initial performance the factory may be expanded to enroll more prisoners as productive work force away from their idle life.
We are always positive to dynamic achievements. It may be a small step but a step that brings food for thought how small steps can pay way to big steps. Our praise goes to all who have worked behind the initiative to transform jail into a place for real correction and productive activities.
