Demand for Prison-Made Goods Declines

Chitwan. At one time, goods produced at the prison office were purchased with importance. Now the demand for goods produced by the prison has decreased.

Rugs, carpets, bags, and other items used to be sold at the prison office here. But now the demand has decreased, complained the inmates in the prison.

In previous years, when the market was easy, they used to earn some income and provide some help to their families while serving their sentences in the prison office. But now it is not like that. Bikash Praja (changed name), who has been serving his sentence in prison for the past 13 years, says that there is a problem now due to the decrease in demand for stools. He said, "The demand for stools has been decreasing compared to before." He said that although he weaves stools to keep himself mentally and physically busy while serving his sentence, the demand for stools has now decreased. He said that in the past, such training was provided in limited prisons and production was done, but now due to the lack of skill-based training in every prison and production in many places, the demand has decreased. According to him, production has decreased by 50 percent compared to before due to the decrease in demand. He said, "We are hoping that the demand will increase somewhat during the festival season."

Although the number of inmates who used to make a living by weaving stools in this prison used to be around 200, it has now decreased to 75. He said that the number of workers has also decreased due to the inability to increase demand. He said that in his company within the prison, 40-45 inmates used to work, but now only 18 are left. Those who have to spend a long time in prison also make carpets along with stools. He said that some inmates who make stools have gone to make carpets.

He said that in recent years, the demand for bamboo stools has decreased due to the increasing popularity of plastic chairs and stools. While about 500 stools used to be produced monthly in this prison, now only about 300 stools are being produced. While two types of stools, special and local, are made here, only local ones are being made now.

Ramu Praja (changed name), who is serving his sentence, is now working on making carpets. He said that compared to previous years, the demand for carpets has been less in recent years, so the business is not as good as before. Inmates who charge based on time and square feet for weaving carpets are losing the motivation to work because customers who buy carpets are not coming, he said. He said, "Working all day used to keep my mind occupied with other things, but now I have problems due to having free time." 65 inmates are involved in this profession. He said that although they earn according to their work, it is very enjoyable to stay busy. The production of 15 to 18 carpets per month has now decreased.

Chetnath Dhungana, acting chief of the prison office, says that the inmates here are happily engaged in income-generating activities. He said, "Now there is some disappointment among the inmates due to the decrease in demand." When the market was good, the inmates here used to earn up to Rs 15,000 per month. He said that now they earn Rs 5,000 with difficulty. He informed that the products produced here are sold in Kathmandu, neighboring districts, and local markets. Currently, there are 40 women and 68 men inmates in this prison. The capacity here is to hold 30 women and 570 men inmates.