Sh. Jayant Chaudhary, Minister of State (Independent Charge), Ministry of Skill Development and Entrepreneurship, and Minister of State, Ministry of Education, Government of India, New Delhi, visited the Vocational Centre at the Model Jail, Sector 51, Chandigarh on Thursday.

He was accompanied by Sh. Mandeep Brar, IAS, Home Secretary; Ms. Prerna Puri, IAS, Secretary Education; Sh. Pushpendra Kumar, IPS, IG Prisons; Dr. Palika Arora, PCS, Addl. IG Prisons; along with other senior officials of the Chandigarh Administration.

The Minister expressed appreciation for the welfare and skill development activities being undertaken for inmates in the jail. The Department of Technical Education has established an Industrial Training Institute (ITI) within the premises of Burail Jail. This initiative stems from the action points outlined in the meeting of the Hon’ble Punjab and Haryana High Court Committee on “Making and Strengthening the VC System in Jails/All Institutions under the JJ Act and District Courts” held on 5th February, 2025. It represents a forward-looking reform aimed at strengthening the prison system.

During the visit, Sh. Jayant Chaudhary stated that the aim of a jail is not to keep someone imprisoned forever for a crime. The objective is to reintegrate them into society, provide them with a livelihood and show them new paths beyond their past work. Skilling is about dignity, hope, stated giving everyone opportunities to earn meaningful livelihoods.

The ITI will initially offer vocational training in Wood Work Technician and Sewing Technology, equipping inmates with job-oriented skills to enhance employability post-release. One unit of Wood Work Technician (24 candidates) and two units of Sewing Technology (24 candidates each) will be started in the first phase, with more trades to be introduced gradually. The ITI Department has sought the required exemptions from the Director General of Training, MSDE, for operating the institute within the jail premises.

This initiative is expected to support the reintegration of inmates into society, reduce chances of recidivism, and contribute to long-term public safety. The inclusion of On-the-Job Training (OJT) and digital literacy components ensures that inmates are prepared for today’s technology-driven workplace. Besides skill development, such productive engagement also fosters discipline and a positive environment within the prison.

Beyond employability, initiatives like this instill a sense of self-worth and purpose among inmates, promoting psychological well-being and personal growth. In essence, the ITI will serve as a cornerstone of prison reform, shifting the focus from confinement to rehabilitation and meaningful transformation.

The State Directorate and Jeevan Dhara ITI are facilitating the admission of candidates through a special exemption process, since inmates do not have access to mobile phones for the mandatory OTP system. The ITI is scheduled to be inaugurated on 25.09.2025, on the eve of the birth anniversary of Pt. Deen Dayal Upadhyaya, as part of the Seva Pakhwara celebrations.