Bangladesh launches first-ever clothing factory for prisoners

DHAKA, Dec. 27 (Xinhua) -- Bangladesh has launched a garment factory inside a prison on the outskirts of the capital city of Dhaka.

The factory, first of its kind located inside a prison in Narayanganj, will produce ready-made garments and Jamdani, one of the finest muslin textiles of the region.

Hundreds of prisoners have received training from Bangladesh Knitwear Manufacturers and Exporters Association to run the factory on several shifts.

Bangladeshi Home Minister Asaduzzaman Khan Kamal Wednesday inaugurated the factory operations at a ceremony. He said it is to facilitate prisoners to earn money and support their families or save for the future.

He said the government through various programs are providing prisoners in all the jails with training so that they can return to normal life after serving their term in prison.

Jail Superintendent Subhash Das told reporters that some 300 prisoners will be working initially at the Resilience Garments Industry and Jamdani Production Center inside the jail.

He said prisoners' income will be credited to their respective accounts and they can either send their earnings to their families at home or withdraw the entire amount after serving their respective term.

The garment factory was reportedly established with imported machinery on 5,000 square feet of area with the help of local administration and the Department of Social Services. Enditem