Vizag Jail Emerges as Mini Industrial Hub, MP Lauds Reform Initiatives

Visakhapatnam MP M. Sribharat on Friday commended the reformative and reintegration efforts underway at the Visakhapatnam Central Jail, describing the facility as a “mini industrial hub” for its wide-ranging vocational training and skill development programmes aimed at rehabilitating inmates.

During his visit, the MP reviewed several reform-oriented activities and held discussions with senior prison officials on measures being undertaken for the behavioural transformation and livelihood development of prisoners.

Additional Superintendent of the Jail Mahesh Babu briefed Mr Sribharat on the administration, discipline and corrective programmes being carried out for inmates. The MP also inspected vocational training centres and production units functioning within the jail premises.

Mr Sribharat toured units engaged in steel furniture manufacturing, soap and detergent production, washing powder and dish-wash cake manufacturing, and fly ash brick production. He expressed appreciation for the quality of the fly ash bricks produced by inmates.

He also lauded the administration for imparting employment-oriented training in steel fabrication, book binding, weaving, dyeing, tailoring, bakery, agriculture and dairy farming.

Mr Sribharat appreciated the educational support extended to inmates through general and digital libraries, in addition to welfare provisions such as hospital facilities, clean drinking water, kitchen gardens and communication facilities. He further commended the structured rehabilitation programmes being conducted for female inmates under the supervision of dedicated women staff.

Addressing mediapersons, Mr Sribharat said the efforts to equip prisoners with skills to lead self-sufficient lives upon release were commendable, adding that the Visakhapatnam Central Jail was setting a benchmark for correctional facilities across the State with its progressive and correctional approach.