Innovative ideas implemented at Sajiwa Jail
Source: The Sangai Express
Imphal, November 26 2012:
Jail authorities of Sajiwa Central Jail are pushing the inmates to a healthy way of living.
The jail now has a gym where more than 100 prisoners are working out daily on shift basis, said Manipur Central Jails SP IK Muivah.
The gym was donated by Animal Gym founder RK Bishwajit, IK Muivah said adding that it was primarily meant for the rehabilitation of drug addicts to develop good health.
Saying that many have developed good physique by using the facility, IK Muivah said that they have vowed never to return to drugs and old bad habits.
He also added that the gym is being used by other prisoners as well other the drug addicts.
Another highly successful reform is the introduction of Yogathon and Prison Smart Course by the Art of Living, Imphal Chapter led by Roshni Kumar Sharma, IK Muivah said.
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In Manipur Central Jail, Sajiwa, batches of about 70 inmates at a time are taught in one week module format.
The jail authority aims to cover all the 700 prisoners by conducting several courses in the coming months so that it could contribute in developing positive mindset which would ultimately lead to return to normal life after coming out from the jail, he added.
IK further said that an IGNOU Special Study Centre has been set up in the jail to provide the facility of undergoing various correspondence courses.
Fees for admission, text books and examinations have been provided free of cost, he added.
IK Muivah also claimed that smuggling of banned items including mobile phones into the prison has drastically come down due to adopting stringent methods of three tier checking.
Saying that all the visitors including prison officials and security personnel are thoroughly frisked IK Muivah added that this has led to detection and arrest of three VDF personnel for trying to smuggle banned items into the prison.
IK Muivah further said that spiritual counselling is also being carried out in the jail.
He added that members of the Manipur Commission for Women presented shawls to women prisoners and some NGOs such as Ningol Ministry hosted a feast on Ningol Chakkouba.
Apart from providing ART drugs and conducting medical tests, MACS conducted awareness programmes on HIV/AIDS from time to time.
All the measures have been taken up under the initiative of ADGP (Prisons) ML Das and assisted by Manipur Central Jails SP IK Muivah and jail officials.