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| Prisoners manufacture bread at Beur Central Jail in Patna. Telegraph picture |
The brand name of products manufactured in various prisons across the state could soon bear the stamp of the inmates’ incarcerated state.
Inspector-general of police (prisons) Anand Kishore on Thursday told The Telegraph that the name “Bandini” — derived from the Hindi word bandi meaning prisoner — has been selected as the brand name for products made in jails. An official decision in this regard would be taken within a fortnight.
“Superintendents of prisons across the state were asked to suggest names. ‘Bandini’ seems perfect. Once the official decision is taken, it would be easier to market the products,” Kishore added.
BCP Singh, director (industries), prison wing, home department, told The Telegraph: “Six central jails and two sub-jails in the state manufacture products such as soaps, phenyl and carpets. The inmates have also become experts as carpenters, blacksmiths and goldsmiths, while some have gathered experience in printing work.”
He added: “The marketing of products on a large scale started recently. They were displayed at a trade fair in New Delhi last year and got a good response.”
The prisoners at Beur jail in Patna have started manufacturing bread since February last year. Initially, there was a plan to market the bread at Patna Medical College and Hospital and Nalanda Medical College and Hospital but there were few takers for bread manufactured in prisons.
It is now produced for internal consumption. There was also a plan to call it “BJ” like bread produced in Tihar Jail, New Delhi, is called “TJ”.
Once the brand name is finalised, the bread would be manufactured through Bihar State Cooperative Milk Producers’ Federation Limited and its popular brand Sudha. Loaves of bread would be available at all Sudha outlets.
“The product name Bandini would be followed by Sudha. The final decision in this regard is yet to be taken. The dairy cooperative, however, has agreed to market the bread produced at Beur jail,” said IG Kishore.
He added: “The bread made at Beur jail would be available to all the residents of the state capital.”
Asked the reason for branding products made in prisons, the senior officer said: “Branding of the products will make them popular. We develop them. As all jails would soon be computerised, branding would make their products more slick.”