USHA Silai School And Nagaland Prison Department Teach Inmates New Skills

Locked gates that keep people out; the blue paint peels off the rusting bars; the walls are so high you can't see where they end; silver wires encircle white boundaries; vehicles drive in and out of the compound- into this world arrives Shukla Dey, walking past colourful flowers and trees gently swaying under the mild December sun. The scene around her is in contrast to the beauty of the grounds. Men and women sitting in cells, tightly gripping the iron bars that separate them from the outside world.

Suddenly a whistle blows, and the gates are unlocked, and it is time for the head count, for which the prisoners form a queue. This is District Jail, Dimapur and Shukla Dey is a master trainer at the USHA Silai School in Dimapur, the largest city in Nagaland. She was chosen to train 10 inmates from the prison and imbibe in them the necessary livelihood skills for life outside prison.

Ms. Dey said,

As a human being, I don't know why they're coming here now, but if they learn these things then if they're going out in future then they can do anything because they can settle their life in this training after getting the certificates and all. So, they have the knowledge of how to stitch. They have basic knowledge and after that, I think they're going for advanced training also and they can settle their life, they can start their new life here.

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Dimapur Prison DGP, Rupin Sharma said,

I know about USHA's work in the rural parts of India, especially through their Kushalta Ke Kadam programme. They have helped people generate incomes and given them several vocational training. Our emphasis was to uplift the downtrodden, and that is how we conceived the plan and finally USHA was onboard. We thought we'll train the women as well as some male inmates. If there were any male inmates wanting to undergo this training why don't we take them on board. So along with this, we also trained our 2-3 staff members, who can work as Master trainers.

One such potential master trainer for the Dimapur prison is staff warden Krishna Gopal Hati. His undying interest in stitching is commendable. Mr. Hati is not only upskilling himself but also breaking several gender stereotypes in the process He was eager to hand his wife a beautiful bag that he stitched during training, and has also been engrossed in sewing a vibrant pink curtain for his house.

Mr. Hati will be one amongst the prison staff who will further train the prisoners in sewing and stitching.

"I have never done stitching in my life before, and so I undertook the USHA training. In the initial stages, it was challenging, but now I have got a hang of it. I have made a couple of ladies bags.

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DGP Mr Sharma informed that the department has spoken to the inmates several times about the training and earn a living out of it. He has personally visited the site several times and has observed an enthusiasm among the prisoners. The inmates are now trained enough to run a production centre by themselves. After finishing their sentence, their skills will help them run a fully functioning production centre where they can stitch uniforms for themselves as well as the prison's officers.

One of the inmates, Izierangbe Yalie James said,

I've learned how to stitch trousers along with the formal shirt. Earlier I have learned only the basic things which they were teaching me here, but after the USHA came up with the training now they've taught me how to do embroidery work even along with cutting and all. Since we are in the prison, we are always in a blocked mind, but since we are in the training here we'll get ourselves refreshed. We are happy that they are giving us all these opportunities to learn these things.

Another inmate, Sanjana Das is accused of peddling drugs. She has a 5-year-old son and a daughter, and now wishes to start life afresh once completing her sentence in the prison. Ms. Das said,

i did not learn anything during my time before the imprisonment. But I got to learn so many things here. I know how to stitch a dress, a suit, pants and much more. This training will help me to start afresh once I complete the jail term. I will try to learn more when I go outside.

Master trainer Ms. Dey said,

I really want to give them a message that life is so precious. Life is so precious and they get such an opportunity here through Usha. So, they can change their life after leaving here, they can change their life.

The ultimate aim of prison administration is to reform and rehabilitate offenders, and training by USHA master trainers is part of that. Some of the inmates in this prison have almost completed their sentence, while some are a few years away from it. But as long as they learn a new skill and put it to practise, there will be a different life awaiting them whenever they leave. A life of self-sufficiency and gainful employment.

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