Skilling initiative turns Inmates into RJs

In a novel initiative, IT giant Mindtree, in association with Radio City 91.1 F.M set up a community radio at the Bangalore Parappana Agrahara Central Jail in 2019. Two years hence, over 50 prison inmates and personnel have been trained as radio jockeys and they graduated through an in-facility valedictory ceremony last month. 

In an exclusive to BW People, Abraham Moses the General Manager of Mindtree Foundation explained how the initiative was born out of regular skilling programs like tailoring, embroidery, computer data entry, mushroom cultivation, gardening, baking, sculpting etc. that the organization conducted in association with NGOs since 2017. He explains, 

“This program was envisioned and implemented to improve the hope, dignity of the inmates and give a fillip to creativity, skill and art”

Motivated by the success of their livelihood programs with the Bangalore Prison authorities, the Mindtree Foundation piloted a community radio station in 2019 with the technical expertise of Radio city 91.1 FM to use it as a therapeutic medium to relieve mental stress & anxiety and infuse positive energy for over 7,000 prison inmates. 

Pandemic problems

The realities of a global pandemic and a highly contagious virus that restricted the movement of visitors only increased anxiety of those within prison walls. Here, the community radio initiative emerged as an unexpected means to induce positivity.

“Since March 23, 2020, the lockdown inflicted a blanket ban on all the visitors, triggering anxiety, frustration and mental agonies amidst the inmates in not being able to meet their loved ones. At this juncture, introducing the community radio program successfully kept the inmates engaged and also gave them a purpose during these uncertain times when they have been cut off from the outside world. The initiative was meant to uplift the spirits of the inmates and we are very glad that during the lockdown it could render the outcome we had wished for. We were also able to expand the initiative to other central prisons early this calendar year”, Abraham added 

Tuning in

The Radio broadcasts have not just served as an outlet but also helped create a microcosmic ambience of the outside world. The content broadcasted includes morning prayers from all faith, news bulletins, awareness sessions, mimicry, jokes, talks on prisoners’ rights, a variety of movie songs, celebrations of birthdays, and achievements of children of the inmates, which is aired every day between 7:00 am to 7:00 pm. Additionally, the inmates of the prison use the community radio to request and dedicate special songs to celebrate special occasions in their lives and for their family members and friends. 

The effects of the initiative are best recorded by the Chief Medical Officer of the prison who states that a huge psychological shift in belief, attitude, hope and optimism levels was observed. The initiative is now marked as a case study at the correction centre. Prison authorities too have reported a change in behaviour of the inmates and have found it easy to manage and communicate with them.

Commenting on the initiative, Mindtree’s Chief People Officer Paneesh Rao explains, 

“This program has been a life-transformational journey for the inmates as it allows them to build back their lives. The first of its kind initiative helps in bringing down a lot of negativity inside the prison and create a beautiful synergy between the inmates and the surroundings. It was path-breaking when we got their voices out of the prison walls, patching the prison radio to the Radio City 91.1 FM and airing positive stories from the prison to the general public that heard it from the cosiness of their homes or while driving in the car. The families of the inmates found no bound to their joy hearing the voice of their loved ones. In their minds, they had turned professional radio jockeys”