40 lifers at Salem prison given jobs to cater to public needs

Some prisoners serving life term at the prison here with good conduct record have been given specialised jobs to cater to the needs of public like ironing and tailoring at minimum charges, officials said.
"There are about 200 life convicts of whom 40, who have completed ten years and with good conduct record and hard-working have been given specialised jobs," prison officials said.
"Some are engaged in steel structure fabrication, welding, ironing, tailoring and barbering..," they said.
Women prisoners prepare ginger tea and sell the hot brew in the campus while some prepare 'Nellai Halwa' (a delicacy) to be sold to the public.

Salem central prison superintendent Venugopal said: "Two shops have been put up at the entrance of the prison-one is for tailoring and ironing and another one is a salon where the charge for hair-dressing for Rs 50. For ironing a shirt and trousers it is Rs two only."
People should not talk to the convicts while the shops will be under the surveillance of police personnel, he said, adding, the money obtained goes to the prison welfare department.