A petrol bunk with a humane touch

S Vishnu Sharmaa, INN/Chennai, @Svs037 

The fuel outlet of Indian Oil Corporation (IOC) at Puzhal near Chennai in Tamilnadu stands out to be different from other petrol outlets. As that stands as an ideal example of reformation. Infodea went ahead to know more in this regard. A team of 22 prisoners from Puzhal Central Prison have been provided employment there.

All these are part of efforts of the prestigious establishment to provide an opportunity to those who wish to resume normal life after they have undergone punishment in the jail. 

According to a senior official from IOC, more than 30 prisoners have been provided employment in their bunks. Their efforts to lend a helping hand to prisoners wishing to reform will continue in future too, says the senior official.

Resuming a normal life is an uphill task for those who have remained inside the four walls of a prison. Criminals wishing to embrace reformation may not receive an encouraging response and may force them to take refuge in crime again.

But these kind of efforts will offer a ray of hope for prisoners who look forward to make a good beginning again, say sources. A prisoner Infodea spoke to expressed a strong desire to live a life filled with peace along with his family. 

All those prisoners who strongly desire to embrace reformation for good and are about to be released before the end of their punishment duration owing to their good conduct are the focus, say the sources.

For many of them the sagely advise of Prisons official DIG Murugesan has delivered the desired result. It has managed to convince them to quit the path of wrongdoing. 

For another prisoner there the point of concern was taking care of the family and looking for an employment. ‘I was worried as chances of getting a job post punishment phase is very difficult, thanks to this measure that finding means of livelihood does not bother me anymore.’

Such bunks with a difference are being run in Coimbatore, Palayamkottai, Vellore and Pudukottai. These bunks are established by Tamilnadu government with the help of IOC and run for 24 hours and are operated by prisoners.

These fuel bunks have freedom stores that will sell products made by prisoners. About 110 prisoners were chosen to work in these bunks we chose them based on their educational qualification, conduct.  

DIG Murugesan says only prisoners who wish to reform their lives and have good conduct are appointed in these bunks. Out of these 110 prisoners, many of them would be released from the jails soon, he says.

The senior official says these bunks are being observed to CCTV cameras so as to prevent these prisoners from escaping, even wardens and police personnel are present there in mufti to regulate prisoners from making an attempt to escape. 

General manager (corporate) of IOC Sabita Natarajan says their organisation intends to provide employment to those who want to reform post their punishment phase.

She reminds about noted Saint Angulimal. He was a man noted for nefarious deeds, post reformation, he became a saint who became popular for being wise, says Sabita.