Products by Haryana jail inmates attracting crowd at Surajkund Crafts Festival in Faridabad

Products made by inmates of 18 prisons in Haryana are on display at the 39th Surajkund International Craft Fair in Faridabad and tell the story of rehabilitation and positive transformation in their lives.

In the press release made by the Haryana Public Relations Department, it was stated that the products produced by the prisoners were offered for sale at the stands numbered 1130-1133, 1135 and 1136, established by the Prisons Department at the fair.

The stalls offer intricately carved wooden furniture, exquisite carpentry and paintings, baked goods from the prison’s bakery, pure aloevera-based herbal products, embroidery, tailoring, textiles and handmade items for daily use. These products are priced between ₹50 to ₹60,000 and tourists appreciate them for their quality and durability.

As part of the reform initiatives of the Haryana Prisons Department, inmates are being given systematic training in various professions under comprehensive reform programs carried out by the Haryana government in prisons.

The main goal is to remove the prisoners from the criminal world and integrate them into society in general, so that they become economically self-sufficient. These stands are not just a product sales center, but also a message to society that with the right opportunities and guidance, every individual can move towards positive change. In the press release, it was stated that the products sold on the counters are cheaper and more reliable than those sold in the market.

At the craft fair, tourists not only buy these items, but also appreciate the skills of the prisoners and the efforts of the department towards their rehabilitation. The press release stated that this initiative is a testament to the Haryana government’s commitment to effectively implement the ‘Self-Reliant India’ concept even in prisons.

The paintings prepared by the prisoners based on natural landscapes, religious themes, rural life and modern art also attract the great attention of visitors.

Proceeds from the sale of the paintings will directly benefit prisoners. Visitors to the fair said that the quality of the paintings was not inferior to that of a professional artist. This initiative plays an important role in developing a positive perception of prisoners in society and integrating them into the mainstream.