Crafting in confinement

A small garment factory has started production inside Narayanganj District Jail yesterday morning.

Inmates will be able to work and earn at the 5,000 square feet factory, titled Resilience Garments Industry and Jamdani Production Centre.

Home Minister Asaduzzaman Khan Kamal formally launched the country's first ever such initiative.

About 300 inmates have started working in two shifts.  Their earnings would be deposited to their bank accounts.

Officials said the inmates would also be able to send the money to their homes.

Jail Superintendent Suvas Kumar Ghosh said a total of 52 imported sewing, overlock and embroidery machines have been set up in the factory jointly built by the Directorate of Jails, Narayanganj administration and the Social Service Department.

The government has taken many initiatives to rehabilitate prisoners, he added.

Twelve inmates have been weaving Jamdani saris in six handlooms. The authorities are planning to set up four additional ones. Around 25 other inmates have engaged in weaving bed sheets.

The inmates working at the factory received training on embroidering, kantha stitching, block printing and boutique making, and other handicrafts.

The inmates would get half of the profit generated.

The authorities have been talking to Aarong officials to be able to supply handicrafts to its outlets, said the officer.

The home minister also laid a foundation stone of a six-storey building in the jail premises.

“All inmates at different prisons of the country are provided with trainings for their rehabilitation and are given all kinds of facilities. They are being given training in weaving and bakery. Gradually, the facilities will be provided in all jails,” Asaduzzaman told reporters.

He said factories like the one in Narayanganj jail would be set up in other jails in phases.

Fariduddin Ahmed Chowdhury, secretary of the security service division under the home ministry; Brig Gen Syed Iftekhar Uddin, inspector general of prisons; Salim Osman, Narayanganj-5 lawmaker and BKMEA president; Shamim Osman, MP; Golam Dastagir Gazi, MP; Nazrul Islam Babu, MP; Ehtemshamul Haque, Narayanganj City Corporation CEO among others were present at the inauguration.