Chitto Dey (sitting), an art teacher from Calcutta, gives tips to the inmates of Birsa Munda Central Jail after the inauguration of an art centre in prison on Sunday. Picture by Hardeep Singh

Ranchi, July 13: Behind the high walls of the Birsa Munda Central Jail at Hotwar, 6km from Ranchi, an innovative reforms programme started today to introduce a new way of life to the 3,400-odd inmates.

In association with the Calcutta-based NGO Flight to Harmony, the state government inaugurated a two-day workshop to teach inmates ways of expressing themselves through art.

“We inaugurated a two-day art workshop for Birsa Munda jail inmates today. Fifty inmates, who have an experience in the subject and were inclined to join the programme were selected,” state inspector general of prisons, Sunil Kumar Barnwal, told The Telegraph.

Inspector-general (prisons) Bengal, Banshi Dhar Sharma and art teacher Chitto Dey, also from Calcutta, attended the inauguration ceremony.

Around 50 inmates have been selected for the inaugural workshop. The modalities of the reform programme through art was being worked out in consultation with Dey, who has conducted a similar programme at the Alipore Central Jail, Calcutta.

“We intend to hold art classes five days a week. Frequency and other details are being finalised,” the IG (prisons) pointed out.

“Art is just not about drawing and painting. It is a way of expression. Through art, efforts are made to change the criminal mindset. These inmates have to have a reason to live. It would also give them a chance to show a new face to the society,” Barnwal stressed.

He acknowledged that they were inspired from the Alipore Central Jail, Calcutta, where similar art programmes and other exercises have been successfully carried out. He added that more such experiments would be carried out as part of the comprehensive jail reforms programme. He stressed that all such programmes would be carried out on a regular basis without breaks.

The Hotwar jail is among the largest prisons in the country and is spread over more than 40 acres. It has the capacity to hold 3,215 prisoners. However, it houses 3,400 inmates.