Life convicts now fill fuel for you
22 Inmates Roped In To Run 24 X 7 Petrol Pump
Shanmughasundaram.J@timesgroup.com
Chennai:15.06.2019
Clad in a poly cotton Indian Oil uniform, Ramesh (name changed) welcomes motorists with a smile to the newly-opened fuel outlet next to Puzhal Central Prison I. Working there is more than a job for the 33-year-old.
He was among the 22 inmates, all life convicts, of the central prison roped in by the prisons department to run the 24 x7 outlet as part of the prison industry.
After spending six years of his life behind the walls of the prison in connection with a murder case over a land dispute, the father of a girl was longing to be part of the “Freedom Fuel Filling Station” to vent his emotion and overcome the ill effects of imprisonment.
“My mind is free and I love to meet new people (customers) coming on their motorbikes or cars. It gives a new experience,” said Ramesh, a native of Chennai, amid attending to customers on the second day of his new job.
The prisons department along with the Indian Oil Corporation Ltd has established the outlet as part of the rehabilitation and reformation programme. Already, four such outlets were established outside the central prisons in Palayamkottai, Coimbatore, Vellore and Pudukottai on February 22 this year.
The IOC has also created facilities for an ATM kiosk, Aavin parlour, and a stall to sell freedom bazaar products in each of the petrol bunk, besides creating a lush green cover, chief general manager (retail sales) of TN and Puducherry V Gopalakrishnan told TOI. “Six more such facilities will soon come up in other prisons,” he said.
“We have selected 18 to 22 prisoners, all life convicts who completed a minimum six years of imprisonment, from each prison based on their conduct during the imprisonment period. They have been trained in every aspect to run the outlet on their own,” said a senior prison officer, who preferred anonymity. The authorities have also deputed personnel in the rank of assistant jailor or chief head warden to supervise the inmates in the out gang duty, besides installing CCTVs to keep a look on the inmates. “If anyone tries to escape, it would be the end of their freedom. But it will not happen as each one of them know what this work means to them,” said another officer.
The prisoners, who try to escape, would jeopardize their chance for premature release and also denied other benefits such as interviews (meeting with family members), ordinary and emergency leaves that they are entitled for under the Prisons Rules.
The outlets have received an overwhelming response from the public for the initiative of the prison department. “Within a few months, the outlet earned 4,000 regular customers, who are pleased with the service,” Superintendent of Palayankottai prison C Krishna kumar.
WELCOME INITIATIVE: Puzhal prison inmate works at a fuel station in Chennai as part of an initiative by the prison department and IOC
22 Inmates Roped In To Run 24 X 7 Petrol Pump
Shanmughasundaram.J@timesgroup.com
Chennai:15.06.2019
Clad in a poly cotton Indian Oil uniform, Ramesh (name changed) welcomes motorists with a smile to the newly-opened fuel outlet next to Puzhal Central Prison I. Working there is more than a job for the 33-year-old.
He was among the 22 inmates, all life convicts, of the central prison roped in by the prisons department to run the 24 x7 outlet as part of the prison industry.
After spending six years of his life behind the walls of the prison in connection with a murder case over a land dispute, the father of a girl was longing to be part of the “Freedom Fuel Filling Station” to vent his emotion and overcome the ill effects of imprisonment.
“My mind is free and I love to meet new people (customers) coming on their motorbikes or cars. It gives a new experience,” said Ramesh, a native of Chennai, amid attending to customers on the second day of his new job.
The prisons department along with the Indian Oil Corporation Ltd has established the outlet as part of the rehabilitation and reformation programme. Already, four such outlets were established outside the central prisons in Palayamkottai, Coimbatore, Vellore and Pudukottai on February 22 this year.
The IOC has also created facilities for an ATM kiosk, Aavin parlour, and a stall to sell freedom bazaar products in each of the petrol bunk, besides creating a lush green cover, chief general manager (retail sales) of TN and Puducherry V Gopalakrishnan told TOI. “Six more such facilities will soon come up in other prisons,” he said.
“We have selected 18 to 22 prisoners, all life convicts who completed a minimum six years of imprisonment, from each prison based on their conduct during the imprisonment period. They have been trained in every aspect to run the outlet on their own,” said a senior prison officer, who preferred anonymity. The authorities have also deputed personnel in the rank of assistant jailor or chief head warden to supervise the inmates in the out gang duty, besides installing CCTVs to keep a look on the inmates. “If anyone tries to escape, it would be the end of their freedom. But it will not happen as each one of them know what this work means to them,” said another officer.
The prisoners, who try to escape, would jeopardize their chance for premature release and also denied other benefits such as interviews (meeting with family members), ordinary and emergency leaves that they are entitled for under the Prisons Rules.
The outlets have received an overwhelming response from the public for the initiative of the prison department. “Within a few months, the outlet earned 4,000 regular customers, who are pleased with the service,” Superintendent of Palayankottai prison C Krishna kumar.
WELCOME INITIATIVE: Puzhal prison inmate works at a fuel station in Chennai as part of an initiative by the prison department and IOC
No comments:
Post a Comment