In a significant step towards inmate rehabilitation, Director General of Prisons and Correctional Services Soumya Mishra recently inaugurated three transformative initiatives at the Nizamabad Central Prison. These groundbreaking projects include the 31st BPCL Fuel Outlet, the 3rd Apiculture (honey bee farming) Unit, and the 4th NIVRUTTI De-Addiction Centre. The inauguration ceremony saw the presence of key officials, including Nizamabad Police Commissioner P. Sai Chaitanya, Inspector General of Prisons N. Murali Babu, and Deputy Inspector General of Prisons M. Sampath, alongside representatives from the Prakruthi NGO, BPCL, and other senior prison staff.
The first initiative, the 31st BPCL Fuel Outlet located in Mallaram, Nizamabad, was launched in partnership with Bharat Petroleum Corporation Limited. This initiative is designed to offer vital employment opportunities to inmates who have undergone reform and are preparing for release. DGP Mishra highlighted the profound impact of these outlets, stating, “Our fuel outlets are more than just sources of income; they stand as powerful symbols of reform, discipline, and trust.” She also extended her gratitude to BPCL for their consistent dedication to supporting the rehabilitation of former inmates. Echoing this sentiment, BPCL Territory Manager (Retail) B. Sravan Kumar and sales officer Ch. Venkata Karthik lauded the project for successfully integrating social responsibility with practical, sustainable livelihood creation.
Following this, the 3rd Apiculture Unit was inaugurated within the central prison premises. This eco-friendly venture aims to equip inmates with valuable skills in honey bee farming, fostering sustainable income generation. DGP Mishra emphasized the long-term benefits, noting that “Trained inmates could continue the practice after release with government assistance.” Deputy Inspector General M. Sampath added that similar apiculture units at Cherlapalli and Sangareddy have already proven successful, demonstrating their effectiveness in providing inmates with practical and marketable skills.
The day concluded with the inauguration of the 4th NIVRUTTI De-Addiction Centre, a crucial component of the Nasha Mukt Bharat Abhiyaan (Drug-Free India Campaign). This center, supported by NGOs such as WORD, Vikram Surya Health Organisation, I Care, and Prakruthi, is dedicated to rehabilitating inmates battling substance dependence. Through comprehensive counseling, therapeutic interventions, and structured programs, it aims to guide them towards recovery. Psychologist Sravya from the NIVRUTTI Centre detailed the program, which includes 7-8 sessions per inmate, focusing on enhancing emotional well-being, fostering empathy, practicing meditation, and developing essential life skills. A testimony from a reformed inmate highlighted the program’s success, sharing how it profoundly restored his confidence and instilled a renewed sense of purpose.