Africa-Press – Liberia. Authorities of the Monrovia Central Prison have initiated discussions with business mogul Upjit Singh Sachdeva (Jeety) to collaborate on a program that would provide employable skills to inmates.
The collaborative approach aims to ultimately reduce the rate of recidivism and offer them a chance at a fresh start upon release. The Indian business mogul, who has spent 30-plus years in Liberia, and runs a business empire that spans multiple industries — has built a reputation for his commitment to social causes and community development.
He believes that the provision of technical skills would make the inmates “more marketable and capable of reintegrating into society upon their release.”
The discussion between Sachdeva and the Monrovia Central Prison authorities, which is still in its early stages, began when he visited the prison on November 2 to feed the nearly 1,500 inmates. It comes as prison has faced longstanding challenges related to rehabilitation, which has increased the rate of recidivism (the tendency of a convicted criminal to re-offend), according to prison authorities.
“Investing in the rehabilitation and reintegration of inmates has been close to my chest for a while,” he said. “The inmates have untapped potential, and with the right training and support, they can contribute positively to society.”
According to Sachdeva, he and the prison authorities are exploring the logistics and feasibility of implementing such a program within the correctional facility. The initiative would likely involve offering the inmates multiple skills such as carpentry, plumbing, electrical work, and other trades.
“The collaboration, I believe, presents an opportunity to address these issues by enhancing the prospects for rehabilitation and reducing the likelihood of reoffending among inmates,” he added.
Sachdeva, who has for the last two years been supporting the inmates, has a record of responding positively whenever appeals come from the prison authority. He was once praised by the United States Department of State in a report for his effort in combating hunger among inmates at the Monrovia Central Prison, via his regular feeding programs.
In December of 2021, he supported and fixed the prison water supply — putting an end to the inadequate water supply. The projects include the installation of 2,500-liter poly tanks for water storage, along with a 5.5 KVA generator for the supply of water when there is a power outage from the Liberia Electricity Corporation.
He also responded to prison authorities’ request to fix its sewage systems. Also, in August of 2021, when the prison ran out of food, he was there to provide emergency support until the Liberian government could come in.
Meanwhile, the Monrovia Central Prison authorities have expressed their enthusiasm for the proposed partnership, acknowledging the potential benefits for both the inmates and society as a whole.
“We believe that offering technical skills training to our inmates can be a transformative step in their lives,” said Janet Mulbah, the Deputy Superintendent for Operations at the Monrovia Central Prison on behalf of her colleagues. “It not only equips them with the skills they need for future employment but also helps in their personal development and self-esteem.”
Mulbah noted that collaborating with Sachdeva is a promising development for the inmates who are eager to work and learn technical skills that can enhance their employability.
“Equipping them with these skills not only benefits the inmates but also contributes to the overall safety and welfare of our society,” she added. Mulbah and her colleagues are also hoping that collaboration would go beyond the construction of a technical skills training center but would encompass job placement assistance, and counseling to aid former inmates in transitioning to life outside the prison walls.
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