This is the first time that the West Bengal Correctional Services has set up a stall, which has works of inmates of all 53 correctional homes in the state, at the Kolkata Book Fair. The step has been taken to promote the talent of the convicts and to support their will to return to the mainstream.

“We have set up the stall to promote the art work of prisoners,” said Sudip Basu, chief controller of Alipore Central Correctional Home.

The stall — From Jails to Correctional Services — has been one of the major attractions of the book fair this year and has been displaying paintings and handicrafts by convicts housed in correctional homes in the state.

“The idea is to create awareness in society about the talent we have in prisons. We want to change people’s perception about jails. This is the first initiative by any jail department of the country to set up a stall to project the talent of convicts. We have plans to make the stall in a better way next year,” said B D Sharma, ADG, Prison.

Stressing that there was a steady footfall in the stall, Basu said several visitors not just appreciated the efforts to bring back inmates into the mainstream, but were also impressed by the paintings and handicrafts.