Inmates of the Central Prison here have enaged in fish farming, horticulture and herbal plant cultivation which would give them some kind of income.
According to the Jail Superintendent Arivudai Nambi the jail complex had three sites alloted for flower growing, fish farm, mushroom growing and herbal plant cultivation.
He said 70 herbals were being planted and harvested on a periodical basis. The gardening vocation by prisoners gave a revenue of Rs 32,000 per month, though it had to go a long way in self-sustaining and maintaining itself.
Drip irrigation was used to grow various greens.
The prisoners are being trained in fish raising in farms where edible costly fish varies including prawns. He said over the years the cost of maintaining the prisons would come down.
The vegetables were being sold for the public at a reasonable rate outside the prison. The recycled water was being used for fishfarming, he said.
Some prisoners even come forward to iron the clothes for a reasonable rate.
"If the prisoners are punctual in attending yoga class, walking training and book reading and remained calm they would be allowed to meet their relatives once in a month.
So far 88 prisoners had been found to be good and they were allowed to chat with their families once in a month for 45 minutes, he said.
