Mangalore district Prison’s Unique diploma Projects
Mangalore Today News Network
By I J Saldanha-Shet.
Mangaluru, August 23, 2024: August 20, 2024, marked a significant day of transformation for the district jail in Mangalore, with the inauguration of two pioneering projects aimed at enhancing the welfare and future prospects of reformed prisoners. These initiatives, which focus on sustainable living after release, reflect extensive planning, effort, and logistics. While the negative aspects of prison life often dominate public perception, these projects highlight the positive efforts to reform and rehabilitate inmates, underscoring the belief that prisons are places for correction and reformation.
St. Aloysius University Mangaluru, in collaboration with the District Legal Services Authority and prison authorities, conducted a 120-day training course on "Integrated Agriculture and Organic Farming Methods" for inmates from October 2, 2023, to January 31, 2024. The convocation ceremony for this program was held on March 11, 2024, within the jail premises, and a major medical camp followed in April 2024.
On August 20, 2024, the prison saw the launch of a Diploma program in "Herbal Medicines and Disease Prevention" and the inauguration of the "Sasi Marata Kendera" (Plant Sales Centre) by Mr. Mullai Muhilan MP, the Deputy Commissioner, in the presence of Mr. Ravindra M Joshi, Principal District and Sessions Judge, and Mrs. Shoba B.G., Member Secretary, District Legal Services Authority. The event, organized by the Prison Superintendent and staff, was well-structured and informative, with active participation from inmates, resource persons, volunteer students, and contributors. The dignitaries in attendance commended the arrangements and the initiative’s overall impact.
The University authorities and Superintendent of the prison Mr Obaleshappa and officials are the backbone of the project . The Vice Chancellor Rev. Dr Praveen Martis SJ and the Course coordinator Prof. Edmund Frank played a major role in organizing this course. St Aloysius (University) and Prison Superintendent were felicitated for launching such an useful programme which would certainly benefit the inmates attending the course. The Deputy Commissioner released the book on “Herbal Medicines and Disease Prevention” authored by Prof. Edmund Frank, admiring him for writing such a useful and guiding book in simple Kannada language which would certainly benefit the trainees and others. Mrs. Shoba B.G. Member Secretary, District Legal Services Authority, spoke in glowing terms on the initiative and efforts put in and provided information on the unique venture and was positive about the future outcomes and particularly to benefit the inmates after they return to their families. Dr Ronald Nazareth and Dr Alwyn D’Sa were present as Chief Guests and spoke on the occasion, appreciating the meaningful programmes in the Jail.
Rev Dr Praveen Martis SJ, presided over the function and spoke appreciatively about the educational programmes conducted in the jail saying they were difficult tasks and promised all help from the University. He also mentioned that St Aloysius had organized a similar training programme earlier too and commended the role played by Prof. Edmund Frank. Mr Denise D’Souza, prison Psychiatric Councillor proposed the vote of thanks. Mr Lava Kumar, Prison Officer smoothly conducted the proceedings.
Prisons are for punishment - but, do not forget they are more for preparation for release to a civil life. A prison is like a flowing river - offenders, convicts and inmates come, transform and go out in due time and be productive and good citizens. Society has a responsibility to correct, reform, rehabilitate and reintegrate the wrong doers to transform into valued humans.
A reputed criminologist mentioned often that Crime is a social fact, crime is a living reality and correction of the crime doer is not merely a desirability, but an inevitable necessity, precisely for this the society has a responsibility to correct, reform, rehabilitate and reintegrate the wrong doers. It may be a great contribution to give goodies, entertain and cheer the prison inmates from time to time, as several social groups normally do. But, it is also essential for Society and officials to ensure that justice is dispensed to under trials in jails as quickly as possible to reduce overcrowding, faulty correction, expenditure and bad influences that are at work in prisons generally. After release the individuals must be equipped with resources and skills to build a better and respectful life for themselves and their dependents to prevent return to crime and punishment. It is a widely admitted fact that little or nothing can be done unless the people in society come forward to help the inmates in prisons and ex-convicts. Prisons are for punishment - but, do not forget they are more for preparation for release. A prison is like a flowing river - offenders, convicts and inmates come in, transform and go out in due time and aim to be productive and good citizens.