With an aim to help rebuild the lives of prisoners, the Department of Prisons and Correctional Services has decided to introduce a new programme, “Akshar Se Atmabodh (Remission by Reading)”, in all jails across the state.
Under the initiative, inmates will be provided with books that are inspiring, educational and morally enriching to encourage positive thinking and personal transformation.
The programme was initially launched at the Model Central Jail, Kanda, last month by Abhishek Trivedi, Director General of Prisons and Correctional Services. It was formally launched at the District Jail, Solan, on Thursday and will be extended to all prisons in Himachal in the coming days.
Speaking about the initiative, Trivedi said the programme aims to encourage prisoners to reflect on their actions, adopt a positive outlook and bring about genuine behavioural change through reading.
“Prisoners will be provided books from various categories, including motivational literature, biographies, moral education, spiritual texts and personality development. After reading a book, each inmate will be required to submit a brief summary of what they have understood from it,” he said.
The DG added that inmates may be granted remission in their sentences under the applicable rules based on their participation in the programme. He said the department remained committed to bringing positive change in the lives of prisoners and helping them become self-reliant and responsible citizens.
