Telangana Prisons Department to Set Up Government ITI in Cherlapalli Jail for Inmates

The Telangana Prisons Department is planning to establish a Government Industrial Training Institute (ITI) exclusively for inmates in Cherlapalli Jail. The initiative aims to bridge a critical gap in the prison system's vocational rehabilitation programme by offering recognised qualifications to help former prisoners secure employment after release.

Under the proposal, the ITI inside Cherlapalli Jail will offer structured training in modern, industry-relevant trades. Identified areas of instruction include computer skills, Data Entry Operator (DEO) courses, electronics repair, food processing, and renewable energy, alongside other vocational subjects.

At present, inmates are trained in approximately 20 different trades across prison industries. These include steel manufacturing, carpentry, tailoring, weaving, farming, soap-making, agarbatti production, paper-bag manufacturing, and beekeeping. However, the department acknowledged that inmates currently do not receive recognised certificates upon completing most of these training programmes, creating a major barrier when seeking employment after serving their sentences.

To address this issue, the Prisons Department has already begun introducing certified skill programmes. Director General of Prisons, Soumya Mishra, said DEO training previously enabled 78 prisoners to successfully pass a National Institute of Open Schooling (NIOS) examination and earn official certification. The department has also partnered with skill-development institutions to offer courses in computer operation, beauty care, embroidery, jute craft, and textile printing.

The ITI plan builds upon an expanding prison-industry network in Telangana. Currently, 1,622 inmates are engaged exclusively in prison industries, earning daily wages based on their skill levels. Wages range from ₹100 for unskilled work to ₹200 for highly skilled tasks.

The department has also established direct employment pathways for some former inmates. During the most recent premature release programme, 304 prisoners were released, 111 of whom were offered employment at prison fuel outlets, while 12 women received sewing machines to begin tailoring as a livelihood. Across Telangana, 172 released prisoners are presently employed at prison fuel outlets.

Officials noted that social stigma remains a major hurdle for former prisoners, with many employers hesitant to hire them. The proposed ITI is intended to provide inmates with a formal certification pathway, allowing them to compete in the job market on the basis of accredited skills rather than their past records.