Good morning Warangal Central Jail

Warangal: The inmates of Warangal Central Prison can now do a Bollywood actor Sanjay Dutt, who during his imprisonment hosted a programme on 'Radio YCP' (Yerwada Central Prison), and emulate him.

For the first time in 2014, the Yerwada Central Prison in Pune introduced an exclusive radio station for its inmates. The prisoners themselves hosted the programmes on jail's internal radio station and Sanjay Dutt was one of them who entertained the inmates drawing nationwide attention.

Similar to that concept and as part of its rehabilitation initiatives for the prisoners, Telangana Prisons Department has also come up with the Jail Radio or Jail Vani at Warangal Central Prison. The Jail Radio was also started at Chenchalguda jail a few days ago.

Even though it is like a community radio, the varying factor is that the programmes cannot be broadcast through FM or AM. The programmes are strictly restricted to the inmates. The programmes include talk shows, songs, lessons on science and history, and other entertainment items predictably avoiding the content of politics and religion.

The jail authorities installed speakers at all vantage points and in the barracks of the prison so that the inmates could enjoy the shows. It's learnt that if the feedback is encouraging, the prison authorities are likely to merge programmes of other Jail Radios. A plan is also on the anvil to engage professional radio jockeys to hone the skills of the inmate who like to host the programmes on their in-house radio.

"The idea behind the Jail Radio is not just entertainment but it's to rehabilitate the prisoners besides making them knowledgeable. More importantly, it will unearth their hidden talent. The talk shows that allow prisoners share their experiences and anecdotes would be of immense help to the inmates in leading a disciplined life after their term is over," the Warangal Central Prison superintendent N Murali told The Hans India.

According to officials, the radio programme timings are: 5.30 am to 7 am; 8 am to 9 am; 11 am to 1 pm; 3 pm to 7 pm. The timings of programmes have been planned so that prisoners' education under 'Vidya Danam' scheme would not be disturbed.

V Naresh of Warangal and K Sathish Sharma of Mancherial who hosted the show on radio on the first day said that it was a unique experience that we never expected. Thanks to the jail authority which has introduced a host of initiatives for the welfare of inmates and to those released prisoners.

He pointed out three petrol bunks, an Ayurvedic Village, a wellness centre, and a My Nation Stall, an outlet that sells products made by the prisoners, run by the Warangal Central Prison providing employment to ex-prisoners.