Bhubaneswar: The State Transport Department has now come forward to make the prisoners lodged in open air jail self-reliant. In the first phase, 38 prisoners here are being trained in driving.
The prisoners lodged in open air jail in Jamujhari were persuaded to undergo driving training so that they could earn, when they were released here.
Many prisoners expressed interest in such an initiative. However, interested young prisoners are being selected by the transport department and will be provided driving training.
All arrangements have been made to train the prisoners within the open air prison instead of going out of the jail and training them. One of the locations in the 110-acre open-air prison has been identified and driving training is being imparted there. For this, experienced drivers and light four-wheelers have been provided.
During the training, the prisoners are being trained in driving as well as its maintenance and repair. Even training is being provided to deal with emergency threat situations. They will be issued light driving licences after the training. After a year of driving, they can take the test and get a heavy vehicle license if they want.
According to transport department officials, the government has made driving training arrangements at four places in the state to ensure that the youth get employment opportunities in this field due to the high demand for trained drivers in the state. The drivers who pass out from here are getting jobs in various companies in the state on good salaries. During the training, they are provided free accommodation, food, etc.
Many big companies have expressed interest in recruiting skilled drivers coming out of the government vehicle training center in their respective organizations and are in touch with the training center as they are being taught about the maintenance and repair of vehicles along with training by experienced trainers.
In view of the huge employment opportunities in the field of driving, the government has come forward to provide driving training to the prisoners lodged in the open air prison, while the prisoners have also shown great interest. After taking training from here, they will drive in different organizations or can earn by buying a vehicle on their own.
It is noteworthy that people who are usually released from captivity do not easily find work in their respective areas and do not get the same employment opportunities outside. Transport department officials are of the view that now driving training has created a golden opportunity for them.
