Kolkata correctional homes get computer centres

With a view to providing computer literacy to inmates, computer centres were inaugurated in three city correctional homes – as jails are called in West Bengal – Tuesday.

“Setting up computer training centre is a positive step for the jail inmates. This small step marks the advent of a long journey ahead. I am sure this would benefit many inmates,” West Bengal Correctional Administration Minister Shankar Chakravorty said after unveiling the centers.

The computer centres were opened in the Alipore Central, Alipore Women’s and Presidency Central Correctional Homes under the ‘Umeed’ programme by the Vedanta Foundation, the social part of the Vedanta Group.

“We are glad to start our programme in West Bengal, having set up operations in some of India’s leading correctional homes. We expect to start more such centres and reach out to more inmates and offer them to become responsible and productive citizens of India,” Debashis Chakraborty, regional manager (East) Vedanta Foundation, said.

Already 21 such centres have been set up in prisons across India, complete with equipment, books, faculty, certification and placements.

The city’s three correctional homes namely the Alipore Central, Alipore Women’s and Presidency Central have as on date approximately 1,670, 260 and 2,000 inmates respectively.