The products made by inmates from 18 jails in Haryana are on display at the 39th Surajkund International Crafts Fair in Faridabad, narrating a story of rehabilitation and positive transformation in their lives.
A press statement issued by the Haryana Public Relations Department said that products made by the inmates were available at stalls number 1130 to 1133, 1135 and 1136, set up by the Prisons Department at the fair.
The stalls offer intricately carved wooden furniture, exquisite carpentry work and paintings, bakery products from the jail’s bakery, pure aloevera-based herbal products, embroidery, tailoring, textiles, and handmade items for daily use. These products are priced from ₹50 to ₹60,000, and tourists are appreciating them for their quality and durability.
Under the comprehensive reform programs being run by the Haryana government in jails, as part of the Haryana Prisons Department’s reformative initiatives, prisoners are being provided systematic training in various trades.
The main objective is to steer inmates away from the world of crime and bring them back into the mainstream of society, making them economically self-reliant. These stalls are not just a center for selling products, but also a message to society that with the right opportunities and guidance, every individual can move towards positive change. The products available at the stalls are cheaper and more reliable than those available in the market, said the press statement.
At the craft fair, tourists are not only buying these items but also appreciating the skills of the inmates and the department’s efforts towards their rehabilitation. This initiative is a testament to the Haryana government’s commitment to effectively implementing the ‘Self-Reliant India’ concept even within prisons, the press statement said.
The paintings created by inmates based on natural landscapes, religious themes, rural life, and modern art, are also proving very popular with visitors.
The income generated from the sale of the paintings will directly benefit the inmates. Visitors at the fair said the quality of the paintings was no less than that of a professional artist. This initiative is playing a crucial role in developing a positive perception of inmates in society and integrating them into the mainstream.
Published – February 07, 2026 04:02 am IST
