Prisoners at Indore Central Jail will soon start making spices that people outside the jail can also buy. Right now, these spices are only used in the jail kitchen. On Thursday, which was Guru Purnima, Govind Pratap Singh, the head of Madhya Pradesh’s Prison and Correctional Services, started this new project called ‘Maa Ahilya Masala Udyog’ at the jail.

He said that prisoners are being trained to work in small industries that do not need a lot of money to start. This will help them find work and support themselves after they leave jail. Jail Superintendent Alka Sonkar said the prisoners will make spices like coriander, turmeric, Kashmiri red chilli, and garam masala. They will use automatic machines to make these spices.

These spices will be used in the kitchens of Indore jail and nearby jails. They will also be sold to the public in packs of 250 grams, 500 grams, and 1 kilogram at a shop outside the jail. Ms Sonkar also said she will ask the district administration to allow them to supply these spices to government hostels and other public places.

The main aim of this new project is to give prisoners useful skills and help them earn an income once they finish their jail term. By learning how to make and pack spices, the prisoners can get experience in food processing, packaging, and even marketing. The jail officials believe that working in such industries can help prisoners feel more confident and give them a sense of responsibility. It also helps them stay busy and think positively while they are in jail.

This is not the first time prisons in India have started such programs. In many other jails, prisoners make things like bakery items, furniture, handloom products, and even organic vegetables. These products are often sold to the public and help generate money for jail welfare activities. At Indore Central Jail, the new spice project is expected to create jobs for many inmates. They will be trained step by step, from cleaning and grinding the spices to packing them neatly.

People who buy these spices will also help support the rehabilitation (reform) of prisoners. The income from sales can be used for improving jail facilities and also for paying wages to the prisoners who work on the project. Officials also hope that if the spices become popular, they can sell them at more outlets in the city and even in other parts of Madhya Pradesh in the future.