First ever RMG factory in jail opens

The country’s first ever garments unit in jail and Jamdani factory to be operated by prison inmates have been opened in Narayanganj.

Home Minister Asaduzzaman Khan Kamal inaugurated the facilities on Wednesday.

He told a function marking the opening of the units called RESILIENCE, "The objective of setting up the units in the jail is to motivate and train idle prisoners as skilled workforce to be rehabilitated on their return to normal life."

Kamal said the lion-share of the sale proceeds of the products like T-shirts, trousers, Genjee and Jamdani saree would be given to the prisoners while the remaining would be utilised for the development of the factory.

He said other prisons in the country would gradually take identical steps in setting up industrial units.

According to BSS, Kamal appreciated the district administration, social welfare and prisons departments’ initiatives and financial and technical assistance of the BKMEA and two cement factories in installing the units inside the prison.

The minister said the government took steps so the inmates could be in touch with their family members through mobile phones and initiatives were underway for their increased recreation inside the correction centres.

But he simultaneously asked prison authorities to keep a tighter vigil against penetration of drug and other prohibited materials inside the jail saying initiatives were taken to train the jail guards and operate security instruments like scanners.

The Home Minister later inaugurated the newly built conference hall of deputy commissioner's office at the district collectorate building.

Parliament members AKM Selim Osman, Shamim Osman, Golam Dastoghir Gazi and Najrul Islam Babu; home secretary Kazi Farid Uddin president of Narayanganj district Awemi League Abdul Hai, inspector general of prisons Brigadier General Iftekher Uddin Ahmed, police super Moinul Hauke and Commander of Narayanganj district Muktijoddha Sangsad among others were present.