DOT Desk: Everyone should make a point to visit the inmates’ pavilion and buy their products, reports The Dhaka Tribune.
Prison inmates are getting an opportunity to showcase their handmade products once again at this year’s Dhaka International Trade Fair. The products they produce are sold commercially in the fair at reasonable prices, and are attracting more and more customers in what is their second year of participation. Their station at the fair, pavilion number three, displayed over 250 products made by prisoners from 24 prisons of the country, including Chittagong, Mymensingh, Jessore, Comilla and Kashimpur, among others.
This included chairs made of jute, bamboo and wood, jute items such as files, bags, vanity purses, wallets made from beads, tables, tea tables, food containers and lids, shoes, clothing, bakery items, tubs with artificial flowers, dolls, children’s toys, garlands, register copies, notebooks, and more. The price of these products ranges between Tk200-500. Asif Hasan and his wife, coming from Dhaka’s Uttara, said the products were both attractive and reasonably-priced.
“If people buy them, then it means the quality of these products is actually good,” he told the Dhaka Tribune.
“Everyone should make a point to visit the inmates’ pavilion and buy their products,” said another visitor, “It will inspire them to feel they are actually reforming themselves and contributing positively to society.”
“The initiative to display products made by prisoners is visionary,” said Sayeed Jabed Hossain, deputy jailor and in-charge at the inmates’ pavilion. “It gives them an opportunity to see how their handmade products are received by people.”
He also said that the profits from sales are allocated for the prisoners.
“Imprisonment and correction goes hand in hand,” Jabed added. “Helping them acquire such skills will enable them to fend for themselves once they get out of prison.”
The deputy jailor also said that daily sales ranged between Tk80,000-90,000. “Last year Tk17 lakhs worth of products were sold. This year the target is Tk25 lakh.”