Odisha Prisoners To Turn RJs As Govt Announces Launch Of Jail Radios

Bhubaneswar: "Good Afternoon! Welcome to Radio YCP, Main Hoon Aap Ke Saath Aap Ka RJ Sanjay Dutt"- Exactly the way Sanju Baba turned a Radio Jockey at the Yerawada Central Jail in Pune, prisoners in Odisha now will get an opportunity to explore their hidden talent and air their creativity through the in-house radio stations.

In a major development towards rehabilitation and reformation of prisoners, Odisha government has announced to launch radio services for and by the prison inmates. This means the services will be operated completely by the inmates. Such radio stations were first introduced in Yerawada and Tihar Jails and later at the Central Jails in Agra, Telangana, Warangal and many other places.

According to sources, the initiative will be launched in Jharpara and Choudwar Jails first, wherein the inmates would be radio jockeys of the in-house FM channels. As per plans, as many as 30 CCTVs would be installed and audio systems will also be set up in all jail wards for broadcasting the programmes.

Through the radio stations, not only announcements and information can be disseminated, but the select inmates can also broadcast programmes on various laws, play patriotic and devotional music, or even share real-life stories for their fellow prisoners.

"The project would be first implemented in Choudwar and Jharpara Jails. Such radio stations will be a source of entertainment for prisoners, it can reduce their stress and will also help them overcome depression," said Satyajit Mohanty, Director General of Prisons.

"This is a positive move and I welcome this. The prisoners should speak about getting back to the mainstream, which will motivate other inmates to choose a positive path once they step out of the jail," said BB Mishra, former Police DG.