Prison Ministry Praised for Jail Reforms

They are hardcore convicts, but their hearts could not but melt when the District Magistrate, who made their prison a more humane place, went on a transfer. Lifers at the Central Jail in Berhampore heaped praises on District Magistrate Manoj Pant and also a Catholic priest, Fr. Scaria Nedumattathil, for making the jail “prisoner–friendly”.

The Prison Candidates of Don Bosco Training Institute at the Berhampore Central Prison gave a farewell to the District Magistrate at Don Bosco Yuva Jyothi Hall on 16 June 2004. “It was the first time in the history of the Central Prison that a District Magistrate has been given an emotional farewell by the prisoners,” said Fr. Scaria Nedumattathil, Director of Don Bosco Prison Ministry.

Abhu Siddiqui, a life convict, in his farewell speech to the DM said: “Mr Manoj Pant has been not only a sympathetic officer, but also a friend and guide who took pains to look into the problems of the prisoners. He visited prisons whenever he could, listened to our problems and took necessary steps to solve those problems. He wanted to see us happy.”

“Today you see a smile on every prisoner's face, thanks to the teamwork of Fr. Scaria, Mr. Manoj Pant and the prison staff,” Siddiqui said, thanking Fr. Scaria and his team for creating a congenial atmosphere in the prison.

The DM congratulated the prisoners on the overall improvement in the prison. He appreciated the efforts made by the District Administration and also the Don Bosco Prison Ministry to improve the lives of the prisoners. “Within a short period of five years, Fr Scaria and his team have succeeded in making this jail prisoner–friendly. The prison administration also helped the Don Bosco Team in the rehabilitation of the released. Today life–convicts are driving prison vehicles after being trained by the Don Bosco Team,” the DM said.

Earlier Fr. Scaria welcomed the gathering to the farewell programme. The prison superintendent and other speakers had a word of praise for the rehabilitation programme undertaken by the Don Bosco Prison Ministry. Forty–two prison trainees were awarded certificates and licences.