Nuns help former prisoners| Cathnews India

Nuns help former prisoners

Published Date: March 12, 2010

Tags: former prisoners, Nuns help, restart life

Sr. Alexia with released prisoner Savita Devi

Sarita Devi, a Hindu, is grateful to some Catholic nuns for her peaceful life after a prison term.

“The sisters trained me knitting and tailoring while I was in the correctional home. It helped me start a small tailoring shop after my release last year,” the 34-year-old woman told UCA News.

Devi was among 80 people who have benefited from the Occupational Training Program the Apostolic Carmel nuns started in Alipore Central Women’s Correctional Home in Kolkata three years ago as part of their prison ministry.

Devi, who spent five years in the prison as an under-trial, now makes woolen clothes and women’s suits to make a living. Her family also supports and cooperates with her, besides the nuns, she said. “All this was possible because of the sisters and I am grateful,” she added.

According to Sister Alexia, who coordinates the prison ministry, the nuns started the training program after they noticed women “going mad” soon after they arrive in the correctional home.

“In order to divert their mind from the thoughts of the crimes they supposedly committed, we began providing training in tailoring,” she explained.

In November 2009, 40 prisoners received certificates for completing a year-long course in tailoring. The second batch started in January with 27 women.

The congregation’s Calcutta province spent 70,000 rupees (US$1,520) on the project. Each student in their schools contributes 100 rupees “to make them and their parents help the neglected women,” said Sister Alexia who joined the prison ministry from 2001.

She said the nuns also provide follow-up support to the women after their release, if required.

The correctional home has 80 children, most aged 10-13. Malabika Basu, who imparts basic literacy skills them, said the children too are keen on learning knitting and stitching.

“When they are engaged in such activities, they tend to forget their worries and are able to gain useful and practical knowledge,” Basu told UCA News.

Source: UCAN

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