Dikshit inaugurates semi-open prison complex at Tihar Jail

Chief Minister Sheila Dikshit today inaugurated a semi-open prison complex at Tihar Jail which has been set up with an aim to "mould" thinking of prisoners towards "positive" activities.
A 'beauty culture centre' was also thrown open by Dikshit at Tihar's Central Prison No 6, also known as women jail, to train female prisoners in beauty courses which would enable them to work in parlours after release from jail.
Appreciating setting up of the Semi-Open Prison (SOP) in the jail, Dikshit said it would go a long way in encouraging good conduct among prisoners. The SOP is presently housing 20 inmates.

"The aim and objective behind starting Semi-Open Jail is to mould the thinking of a prisoner towards positive activity by reposing trust in him so that he may easily mingle with society after release from the prison," Dikshit said.
Prisoners who have a track record of good conduct and are physically and mentally fit have been selected for the SOP, jail officials said, adding that to be eligible for stay in SOP, an inmate's jail term should be between five and twelve years.
"The prisoners selected for SOP will be allotted work on the PWD project inside the Tihar complex," they said.

The prisoners selected for SOP have been housed in the Type-II jail quarters.

A committee headed by Deputy Inspector General shortlisted the convicts for stay in SOP.
The prisoners who are considered "dangerous" and convicted in cases of dacoity, terror activities, kidnapping or found involved in organised crime are not considered for SOP.
Dikshit also visited the female prison to inaugurate the beauty parlour where training will be given to the female prisoners in beauty culture and products by trained staff.
The prisoners who successfully complete the training will be awarded certificate without mentioning the place of training to facilitate their employment after release from jail.

Tihar at present houses 13,000 prisoners against sanctioned capacity of 6,250 prisoners.
The Tihar jail functions under administrative control of Delhi Government.