RAJAMAHENDRAVARAM: The Central Jail here, built during the British regime, is popular for correctional practices of inmates. They have written many success stories so far with the pick of the lot being a petrol outlet being run by open jail prisoners since 2012. Their other ventures included a steel furniture making unit and a garment making unit. Very soon, they will be involved in printing notebooks and textbooks.
The success saga of the prisoners began on September 24, 2012, when the Rajahmundry Central Prison Authorities and the Indian Oil Corporation Limited (IOCL) decided to start a petrol pump just opposite the prison.
During 2014, the total sale of petrol, diesel and lubricants in this prisoners’ pump was Rs. 43.2 crore and the profit was Rs. 8.98 crore. The sales shot up to Rs. 47.54 crore in 2015 and profits increased to Rs. 1.2 crore.
“Though we lost about Rs. 1.5 crore business when the petrol station was closed for 10 days owing to clamping of Section 144 in the government hospital area following political disturbances, the expansion of the outlet in September covered the loss and we registered profits last year also,” said Varaprasada Rao, Superintendent of the jail.
“Last year, the sales were Rs. 49.89 crore and the profit touched Rs. 1.36 crore. Every year profits are showing a steady growth,” said K. Raghu, Deputy Superintendent, and Ramesh, who maintains the outlet.
According to Mr. Rao, the steel furniture manufacturing unit is getting bulk orders from the government and municipal schools and other departments.
Andhra Bank aid
He said that the jail had trained about 75 inmates under the Andhra Bank training programme in sewing and garment making, and the bank provided the latest sewing machines to 40 prisoners, who are designing the latest models of garments.
According to him, a book binding and a notebook printing unit will be inaugurated shortly on the prison premises.