Dimapur: In a significant step towards inmate rehabilitation and prison reform, a first-of-its-kind fuel station operated by trained inmates under the supervision of prison staff was inaugurated at the District Jail in Nagaland’s Dimapur on Tuesday.
This landmark project was launched by Prisons and Printing & Stationery adviser Kropol Vitsu.
Christened M/s Ummeed Prison Welfare Service Station, the fuel station is a collaborative initiative between the Prison Department and Indian Oil Corporation Limited (IOCL) under the IOCL’s corporate social responsibility (CSR) programme.
Highlighting the project’s uniqueness, Vitsu said that it’s a vital step towards the social and economic empowerment of the inmates.
He said, “This service station is not just a business venture. It symbolizes hope, fosters skill development, and empowers inmates to successfully reintegrate into society.”
He noted that the project was designed to enhance the inmates’ skills, foster self-reliance, and boost their confidence, while also providing them with a meaningful way to contribute positively to society.
He said the revenue from the fuel station would support prison welfare programs, including vocational training and education, aiding in the successful reintegration of inmates into society.
He said the initiative placed Nagaland at the forefront of prison reforms in India, alongside states like Madhya Pradesh and Telangana that had launched similar initiatives.
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Speaking on the occasion, Director General of Police (DGP) Rupin Sharma shared the project’s journey, explaining that it stemmed from his desire to create self-sustaining, reform-oriented programmes within the prison system.
He emphasized that the project’s primary focus is on the rehabilitation and welfare of the inmates.
