Convicts yield good harvest in Khowai jail

Agartala, Dec 05, 2024, By Our Correspondent

 Correctional homes haven't come into existence just to make sure the guilty are punished, the concept behind it is to make sure the inmates are capable of earning a living when they walk out free serving the jail term. Khowai sub-jail seems to have set a glaring example of how the inmates should be taught the art of living a dignified life. Four prisoners have turned an abandoned land inside the jail area into a beautiful garden of vegetables which is now contributing a decent sum of revenue to the state exchequer. An official posted at Khowai sub-jail said, “Every year, the winter season is considered to be very beneficial for the jail. There are four prisoners who work hard inside the jail premises to grow winter vegetables. This year as well, they had a great harvest. The vegetables harvested from here are sold at the open market and the funds we get in return are deposited in the government’s exchequer.” Another official of the department said that due to lack of land, the agricultural activities couldn't be expanded. “Had proper irrigation facilities could be installed, the results would have been extremely satisfactory,” the official added. One of the four convicts who are responsible for the vegetable garden said that all the major crops are cultivated here. “We have grown vegetables like cauliflower, cabbage, pumpkin, gourd, and spinach. This year’s harvest is satisfactory,” he said. On being asked what they do with the harvest, he said, “Well this is supplied outside and used in our kitchen as well. The revenue generated from it is kept with the jail authorities.