The propriety of making use of human resources, that get languished in jails – both under trials and trialed - across the world, for productive purposes is being seriously discussed.

• How right it is to exploit the jailed human resources?
• What impression would it create in the minds of people when it comes to crime and punishment?

Tapping the human resources held in the confinement of judiciary, in humanitarian and material point of view, is good in several ways. Unfortunately, this move is likely to send wrong signals among people.

The primary thing is that human resource is extremely precious. Therefore, those people in jails can be valued in such terms, and the productive ones can be used for the general good. Secondly, human resource is perishable, and its timely application is of extreme significance. And above all, what is imprisonment for? It is meant for effecting changes in people, people who have transgressed. So I think it is fair to make them work for the nation in some way.

For example, the educated prisoner can educate those ones among them who have not got enough education. So that, once they complete their term, they may be able to lead a refined life. It is a good idea indeed.

However good the idea may sound, the problems it may generate are not small either. Let me cite one. Jail as such is scary for all, and for general public jails are places known for humiliation, deprivation, isolation, poor living conditions and ill-treatments of varying dimensions. Obviously, if prisoners are going to enjoy their jail terns doing productive work, there is going to be wrong signals among the public. As a result, many may resort to crimes, and some may even look down upon punishment and justice system. This is dangerous in a social point of view.

In short, from a material and practical point of view, prisoners are worth exploiting productively, but the social issue it may generate looks rather dangerous. However, a selective approach to this idea, in my opinion, has some relevance.

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Ajaypeesdoc. 5.8.011