VASCO: Chief Minister Laximikant Parsekar on Wednesday stated that once the prisoners come out of the jail after serving their sentence, the general public should not treat them as prisoners, but should accept them as general human beings.
Parsekar was speaking after inaugurating the bakery and handicraft unit at Sada sub-jail in the presence of Power Minister Milind Naik, Panjim MLA Siddharth Kuncalienker, Chief Secretary Kewalkumar Sharma, South Goa Collector Dr Sachin Shinde, IG Prison Elvis Gomes, Superintendent of Central Jail Melvyn Vaz, Deputy Collector Mormugao Gaurish Shankwalkar, Deputy Collector on deputation at Mormugao Ajit and Women Commission Chairperson Adv Vidhya Shet Tannavade.
Parsekar visited the bakery and inspected the bakery products and handicrafts items at the jail and complimented the inmates for showing interest in learning how to make the bakery products and handicrafts.
Speaking on the occasion, Parsekar said it was his first visit to the jail. “In life, some people commit mistakes due to their short temper and they have to face the punishment. Not everyone who commits the mistake is caught, but those who are caught have to serve the jail term,” said Parsekar.
“All those who are in the jail are not convicts, as some are under trial and their trial is going on. Hence, it is not right to term everyone in the jail as convicts,” he added.
“Once in jail, the prisoners get frustrated and to avoid frustration overtaking their mental ability, these prisoners are trained in various courses like bakery, handicrafts, gardening and even in laundry,” he said.
He said such courses will also help them to gain confidence and self employment once they come out of jail after serving their sentence.
Parsekar said the bakery products are hygienically prepared and should meet the same demand as that of other products.
Parsekar complimented Sister S A Alfonsa and Sister Elvina Fernandes of Technical Institute Vaddem, Vasco, for conducting the bakery courses. He also complimented the undertrials Subash Usgaokar, Rajesh Mishra and Raju Chetria from the bakery section and Sandeep Kalangutakr from the handcraft section for taking keen interest in the course and helping other undertrials.
IG Prison Elvis Gomes said the courses in bakery and handicrafts are conducted with the assistance of an NGO.
