Inmates to send families money as RMG factory opens in jail

NARAYANGANJ, Dec 27 (BSS): Home Minister Asaduzzan Khan Kamal today opened the first-ever readymade garment (RMG) unit and Jamadani factory to be operated by inmates in Narayanganj prison.

"The objective of setting up the units in the jail to motivate and train idle prisoners as skilled workforce to be rehabilitated on their return to normal life," he told a ceremony marking the opening of the units called 'Resilience'.

Kamal said the lion's share of the sale proceeds of the products like T-shirts, Ganjee, trousers and Jamdani sarees will be given to the prisoners while the rests will be utilised for the development of the factory.

Earlier, Narayanganj Deputy Commissioner Rabbi Mia had said the inmates would be able to send money to their families from of the prison.

Home Minister Kamal said other prisons in the country will gradually take identical steps in setting up industrial units.

He appreciated Narayanganj district administration, social welfare and prisons departments' initiatives and financial and technical assistance of the BKMEA and two cement factories in installing the units inside the prison.

He said because of the government's steps, the inmates of prisons can be in touch with their family members through mobile phones and initiatives are underway for their increased recreation inside the correction centres.

But he simultaneously asked prison authorities to keep a tighter vigil against penetration of drug and other prohibited materials inside the jail saying initiatives were taken to train the jail guards and operate security instruments like scanners.

The minister later inaugurated the newly-built conference hall of deputy commissioner's office at the district collectorate building.

Parliament members AKM Selim Osman, Shamim Osman, Golam Dastogir Gazi and Najrul Islam Babu, Home Secretary Kazi Farid Uddin, Inspector General of Prisons Brigadier General Iftekher Uddin Ahmed, Police Super Moinul Hauke, President of Narayanganj district unit of Awemi League Abdul Hai and Commander of Narayanganj district Muktijoddha Sangsad were present, among others.