THIRUVANATHAPURAM: After turning the barren lands around them into fertile fields that yielded crops all through the year, the inmates of Poojappura Central Prison are all set to venture into a new, fragrant endeavour - gardening. For the skeptics who wonder how a bunch of tough convicts could grow roses and jasmines, the prison authorities have already set up a garden with shrubs of different floral varieties inside the prison campus. ‘’We intend to sell the flowers produced here in markets outside and thereby generate income,’’ Jail Superintendent Pradeep told City Express. The income from the sale of flowers will go to the prison’s fund, which would be used for developmental activities of the prison. Pradeep also said that even though it was for the first time that a botanical garden was being set up in a prison in the capital city, he had the experience of successfully executing the plan and generating income when he was the Superintendent at Viyyur Central Prison in Thrissur. ‘’We could generate an income of Rs 25,000 when we first set up a garden in Viyyur. Eventually, the income rose to over Rs 75,000 per season. We hope to generate similar income here too,’’ said Pradeep. The preparations for setting up the garden started three months ago. A floriculturist from State Nirmithi Kendra was brought in who provided training for selected inmates of the prison. Apart from gardening, the prisoners were also given training in growing lawns and also landscaping. ‘’Implementing such schemes would also offer the prisoners an option for a decent way of living once they are released,’’ added Deputy Jailor Chandrababu, who is in charge of the agricultural activities of the prisoners. On Monday, the prisoners held a harvesting festival, in which they reaped the crops they had grown over the past three months. As much as 4,000 kilograms of paddy were reaped by the prisoners. Director General of Police H Gopakumar inaugurated the harvesting festival, presided over by Superintendent Pradeep.
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