As the emphasis is on reformation and rehabilitation, convicted prisoners are, at first, imparted vocational training and once they acquire sufficient proficiency their services are utilized for carpentry, tailoring, black smithy, weaving, shoemaking etc. We started modernizing our manufacturing units and providing technical classes in regular intervals with the help of Kerala University, Polytechnic, willing NGOs etc. are under way. The manufactrory units are working in Central Prison & Correctional Homes at Thiruvananthapuram, Thrissur and Kannur. Besides the manufactory units in Central Prisons we have at least two production units in every Jails in Kerala.
The services of permanent staffs such as Carpentry Foreman, Carpentry Instructor are available to train inmates in the carpentry unit. Furniture made in this unit is of high quality timber. An average of 50 prisoners are being trained here. Carpentry units are functioning at Central Prison & Correctional Homes, Thiruvananthapuram and Kannur and Open Prison & Correctional Home, Nettukaltheri. Wooden furniture for government departments are being made in it. Units have been upgraded to suit modern demands. Furniture for the general public is manufactured and supplied as per the order.
The permanent post of Smithy Instructor is available in Smithy Unit. An average of 20 prisoners are being trained here. The products are mainly used in prisons but are also available to the general public at reasonable prices. These units are functioning in Central Prison & Correctional Homes, Thiruvananthapuram, Thrissur and Kannur. Agricultural implements required for public are manufactured and supplied on demand.
Permanent post of, weaving instructors, weavers and weaving assistants are available in weaving unit. An average of 50 prisoners are being trained here. Materials required for the tailoring units, Bed sheets, Blanket and ‘Mundu’ are made here for the use of prisoners. Towels, H.C. towels, bed sheets and mattresses made in this unit are made available to the public at reasonable prices. Such units are functioning in Central Prison & Correctional Homes, Thiruvananthapuram, Thrissur and Kannur.
A soap manufacturing unit was first set up at Thiruvananthapuram Central Prison. Soap and phenol required for various Jails in the state are manufactured and distributed from here. An average of 20 inmates are engaged in it. Other jails are also encouraged to start such units. Premium soap products are also made and sold to public.
An average of 25 prisoners work here. Products are manufactured as per orders received from other establishments/stores/public. Paper bags have been manufactured and distributed to Hantex, Kalyan and Parthas and other leading clothing retailers in Thiruvananthapuram. Paper Bag Unit is functioning at Central Prison & Correctional Home, Thiruvananthapuram.
A permanent post of Tailoring Instructor, is available in Tailoring Unit. An average of 20 prisoners work in it. Prisoners' clothes are made in this unit. In addition, ready-made garments for general public are also made here and sold through the Free-Fashionista Unit / Sales counter. These units are functioning in Central Prison & Correctional Homes, Thiruvananthapuram, Thrissur and Kannur.
An average of 10 inmates are employed in it. Binding work for prison purposes is done here. Book Binding Unit is functioning at Central Prison & Correctional Home, Kannur.
An Automobile Workshop & Spray Painting Unit is functioning to repair vehicles of various Jails in South Zone. The services of prison staff with Polytechnic / Engineering degree are used to supervise the unit.
There is a shoe manufacturing unit functioning at Central Prison Thiruvananthapuram Manufactory. slippers made here under the brand name of “Freedom Walk” are sold to public through the Free-Fashionista unit.