Date:07/10/2008 URL: http://www.thehindu.com/2008/10/07/stories/2008100755160500.htm

Tamil Nadu - Salem

Resurrecting their lost lives

R. Ilangovan

Prison Ministry India comes to the rescue of released prisoners

— Photo: E. Lakshmi Narayanan

wanted, a decent job: K. Kavithakumar (left), a released convict, at a meeting in Salem on Monday.

SALEM: They are not born criminals, but were forced to become ones unfortunately. They have spent their salad days behind the massive walls of the prison. But now released, they are facing a blank future and a hostile society staring at them.

These one-time life convicts, who were pardoned and released for their good conduct from the Coimbatore Central Prison by the Tamil Nadu Government under its amnesty release to mark the centenary birth celebrations of former Chief Minister C. N. Annadurai recently, assembled at Mary Palace here on Monday to “resurrect their lost lives” with the help of Salem unit’s Prison Ministry India (PMI).

Sister Joycy and Sister Francisca asked them what they needed to restart their ruined lives afresh. Many said they needed milch animals, bullock carts, spraying machines, iron boxes etc. “With no more energy left in our bodies, we can no longer work as daily labourers,” they said. The sisters and others, who elicited their views on their rehabilitation, promised them the necessary help.

But K. Kavitha Kumar’s request to these Good Samaritans was different. He wanted a decent job to support him and his family which shared his trauma during his prison life. A murder accused at the age of 24, he completed nine years of prison term when he was released for his impeccable behaviour behind the bars. Kumar is now a proud second class graduate in BA Tamil literature. “My favourite subject is Contemporary Literature in which I scored the highest mark of 66,” he said. His appetite for education did not end there. He received a post-graduate diploma certificate in Educational Technology, a certificate in Food and Nutrition and also attended a workshop in Bakery and Confectionary. Kumar also taught Tamil to his fellow inmates. “These nine years have made me a cultured man and with the help of PMI, I could become a graduate. Please give me a job to lead a decent life,” was the passionate plea from him. A few other released prisoners like Balan of Taramangalam demanded jobs for their wards. Secretary Fr. Vimal Das told The Hindu that PMI had been doing rehabilitation service to the released prisoners and their families.