Cells with windows for inmates of a tomorrow: UP's ‘one jail, one product' trains prisoners in crafts for fresh start

Time of India

7 days ago

Uttar Pradesh's 'One Jail, One Product' initiative is transforming prisons into hubs of creativity and reform
LUCKNOW: Inside the high-security walls of Varanasi Central Jail, Ashish Kumar, convicted of murder, carves a wooden chair with patient precision. Each movement of his chisel is quiet and focused, shaping not just the furniture but also his own future.
Far away in Mainpuri Jail, another inmate Amod has found healing and meaning through Tarkashi—the intricate brass inlay work that once seemed like a fading craft. In prison since 2018 for murder, Amod once spiralled into depression. Today, he trains fellow inmates, supports his children's education with his earnings, and creates artworks that have found admirers even in the United States.
They are part of a growing movement reshaping the very idea of incarceration in Uttar Pradesh.
Across 36 jails in the state, thousands of inmates are participating in the 'One Jail, One Product' (OJOP) initiative—a reform-focused scheme launched in 2022 under the broader One District One Product (ODOP) umbrella initiative of the state government. OJOP is not simply about production; it is about second chances, social reintegration, and the power of dignified work, said a senior prison official.
'What was once merely a place of confinement is now becoming a hub of creativity, reform, and economic empowerment,' said former DG (prisons) PV Ramasastry, who retired recently.
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'UP's prisons are undergoing a quiet transformation—not through slogans or speeches, but through hands busy with threads, chisels, needles, and even sports gear.'
Jails across the state have embraced diverse trades and crafts that resonate with local heritage and market demands. In Agra, inmates make leather police boots and formal footwear. In Bhadohi and Mirzapur, prisoners weave carpets and durries. In Bareilly and Budaun, women inmates excel in traditional zarizardozi embroidery.
In Firozabad, they craft decorative glassware; in Etah and Bijnor, they prepare pickles and jute products.
Inmates in Saharanpur and Bulandshahr stitch garments, while those in Pilibhit and Fatehgarh assemble LED bulbs. From clay utensils in Azamgarh to terracotta in Gorakhpur, and pottery in Rae Bareli—the range of products is wide, culturally rooted, and commercially viable.
'These products are not just being used within jail premises.
They are now sold through cooperative outlets and at exhibitions, gradually building a consumer base,' said Ramasastry. 'Inmates are sending money home, covering legal costs, and dreaming of opening shops or small-scale units once free.'
In Bhadohi district jail, the rhythmic clatter of looms has now replaced the silence of confinement. With 17 operational looms—up from 13 when the programme began—25 inmates produce high-quality carpets in traditional designs.
'The aim was not just to teach carpet weaving,' said DIG (prisons) Ram Dhani. 'It was to plant the seeds of selfworth and independence.'
Among the trained inmates is Vijay Kumar, convicted under IPC's section 308 (culpable homicide). Trained within jail, he now supports his family through carpet weaving, even before his release.
Products from Bhadohi Jail have been displayed at the International Carpet Expo in 2023 and 2024, drawing praise from both domestic and international buyers.
In January 2024, a team of Bhadohi inmates crafted artistic carpet panels depicting Lord Ram, Hanuman, and Janki, which were later presented to the Ayodhya divisional commissioner. Today, these adorn parts of the Ram Janmabhoomi Mandir, standing as symbols of devotion and rehabilitation.
Women inmates in Bhadohi participate in yarn spinning and pre-weaving tasks, building a sense of shared purpose while earning a modest but meaningful wage.
'It's not just the money,' a jail officer said. 'It's the shift in self-image— from being forgotten to being valued.'
In Rae Bareli district jail, inmates create miniature temples, flag sets, swings, and key holders. One such inmate, Arvind Verma, accused under the Pocso Act, turned his jail-acquired craft into a livelihood. During bail, he taught the skills to his family members, who now run a shop selling these handmade products, ensuring financial stability at home.
Another example is Shakti Singh, serving a life sentence for murder and rape in Mathura district jail. Through OJOP, he trained in pottery and now mentors other inmates in creating lanterns, idols, and diyas. He earns a regular prison wage and has earned the status of a 'skilled artisan' behind bars.
In Agra Central Jail—set in India's leather heartland—inmates produce durable police boots, belts, and leather shoes.
These are supplied to police departments, courts, and other institutions. The orders have not only boosted jail revenue but also sparked confidence among the inmates. 'They're no longer just convicts. They're craftsmen,' said a senior DIG.
In Firozabad, the shimmering legacy of the city's glasswork is being kept alive behind bars. Inmate Shahnawaz, convicted for armed robbery, now creates ornate glass decoration items, including wind chimes and lamp shades, which have found their way to upscale boutiques in Agra and Lucknow.
'This work gave me a second chance and a reason to wake up each morning,' he said.
Meerut Jail has become a hub for producing footballs and rugby balls. Inmate Anil, arrested under the Arms Act, never imagined he'd someday stitch footballs used in inter-college tournaments. 'I used to roam the streets aimlessly. Now, I'm focused and hopeful.'
Meanwhile, Bareilly and Budaun jails have turned into centres of embroidery excellence.
Women inmates, many of them victims of trafficking or convicted under dowry-related charges, are learning zari-zardozi. Saira, once booked under the NDPS Act, now mentors younger inmates in needlework. 'I used to feel invisible. Now, my hands create works of beauty that earn applause,' she said.
In Etah Jail, 35-year-old Ramveer, booked for extortion, now makes pickles. 'Earlier, I was known for crime. Now, people ask for my mango pickle,' he said.
In Pilibhit, LED bulb manufacturing has given new life to inmates like Ramesh, a school dropout who now dreams of opening an electronics shop after release.
The initiative's success was recently showcased during the Maha Kumbh in Prayagraj. Over 45 days, inmates from more than 25 jails earned 10 lakh by selling over 150 handcrafted items—from wooden furniture and carpets to garments for deities, herbal goods, ecofriendly bags, and even bakery products from Varanasi Jail.
Sheesham wood furniture and Maha Kumbh-themed blankets were the top-selling items, priced between Rs 2 and Rs 12,000.
DIG RB Patel credited this achievement to the commitment of inmates, guidance from prison officials, and the policy focus of Chief Minister Yogi Adityanath's government. 'The Maha Kumbh stall was not just a market—it was a message,' he said. 'A message that transformation is possible.'
Amod's family told TOI that he had studied only up to class 6 and worked as a daily wager before his imprisonment.
After being jailed in 2018, he sank into despair, haunted by thoughts of his children's uncertain future. But in 2023, he began learning Tarkashi from a fellow inmate. With time and dedication, Amod not only mastered the art but also innovated on traditional patterns, producing designs that attracted buyers in India and abroad.
Today, his monthly remuneration helps pay for his children's school fees.
'The artworks created by Amod have been appreciated not only at the Maha Kumbh but also in exhibitions abroad.
He now leads a team of six inmates in the jail, motivating and training them,' a relative said. Behind every product made in Uttar Pradesh's prisons—be it a football, a clay lamp, or a carpet—lies a journey of loss, resilience, and recovery. The OJOP initiative is helping rewrite the stories of those behind bars, not with ink, but with skill, self-belief, and the enduring human desire for redemption, said DG (prisons) Ramasastry.
The innovative OJOP initiative of the UP prison administration has been recognised as best practices by the Bureau of Police Research and Development (BPR&D).
'These measures have set an example at the national level, with their effectiveness serving as a model for other states to follow. The acknowledgment from BPR&D demonstrates the impact of Uttar Pradesh's efforts in prison management and reform,' said Ankit Kumar, a prison officer.
(Names of all prisoners have been changed to protect their identity.)