Salesians working to expand opportunities available to people in prison

(MissionNewswire) The Salesian Prison Ministry in Kolkata, India offers people in prison the skills and new opportunities to rebuild their lives and reintegrate into society. Salesians provide skills development, social integration, legal assistance, social awareness programs and family welfare programs.

A Salesian explained, “Male inmates participate in education programs like mechanics, electronics and computer science while female inmates focus primarily on dressmaking. Salesians are also working to expand the training available. For the 103 inmates enrolled in the technical courses at the Berhampore Central Correctional Home in West Bengal, Salesians have partnered with DB Tech and the Schneider Project to increase the kinds of professional training available.”

The Salesian Prison Ministry has received several awards for its pioneering work. Among these, the Certificate of Appreciation of the National Authority for Legal Services was awarded in 2006 to the Presidency Correctional Home in Kolkata. The award recognized the commitment to protect the rights of marginalized individuals in correctional homes.

Father Biju Michael, regional councilor for South Asia and president of the Conference of Salesian Provincials of South Asia, praised the efforts of the prison ministry. On the 25th anniversary of the program, Fr. Michael stressed the importance of expanding its scope beyond the current Salesian province borders. Established in 1995, the ministry was founded by Father N.T. Scaria in collaboration with Father T.L. Francis.

Salesians have also organized a soccer tournament between the prison staff and inmates. The event showed the power of teamwork in promoting hope and rehabilitation. The documentary “Joy Behind Bars: Don Bosco Prison Ministry” raises awareness about the need for this kind of resource in prisons and highlights the good Salesians are doing with the ministry.

Access to professional training and workforce development services is highly valued in India and this is especially true for prisoners coming out of prison often with little skills. One of the ways to ensure that they don’t return to prison is to offer education and a hope for a better life.

India’s youth face a lack of educational opportunities due to issues of caste, class and gender. Almost 44% of the workforce is illiterate and less than 10% of the working-age population has completed a secondary education. In addition, many secondary school graduates do not have the knowledge and skills to compete in today’s changing job market.

###

Sources:

ANS Photo (usage permissions and guidelines must be requested from ANS) 

ANS – India – Salesian Prison Ministry: offering prisoners skills and opportunities

Salesian Missions – India

World Bank – India