RJing offers new ray of hope for Jharpada Special Jail inmates in Odisha capital

Bhubaneswar: Inmates of the Special Jail-Bhubaneswar, located in Jharpada area of Odisha Capital, have set examples for other prisons in the country by way of radio jockeying.

An official source said that the correctional facility has proved itself as a ‘centre of excellence’ after the Directorate of Prisons and Correctional Services of Home Department was brought under 5T Initiative of Odisha government. It has been imparting new-age skills to set inmates up for better future and has provided for physical exercise, theatre and library facilities for use by the jail inmates.

A sound-proof radio room of the Special Jail comes alive as ‘Azaad Vani’ goes on air. At least 20 inmates were previously trained as radio jockeys. Due to skill development training, the inmates will be able to eke out a living and support their families after they step out of the correctional facility.

“Traditional skill development programmes like carpentry, welding, and handloom are already in place, but we wanted to upgrade them across prisons in the State. With assistance from the state government, we have begun RJ course, salon course, paramedics course, and we are also counselling the inmates every day to ensure their mental health is prioritised,” the DG (prisons) Manoj Chhabra earlier said.