Ecommerce to help transform the sale of prison-made goods

Karnataka’s prison department has found a unique way to market the products manufactured in prisons – online marketplaces. The prison department has reportedly signed up with leading marketplaces like Amazon, Flipkart, and Snapdeal to sell the products that are manufactured in Parappana Agrahara Central Jail in Bangalore.

The products are being sold under the label ‘Parivarthana’, which means transformation. The proposal is to sell furniture, garments, showpieces, and carpets online.

Additional Director General of Police, Kamal Pant says, “We will approach ecommerce giants to sell our products. We will also set up an exclusive website for our products with the help of the National Informatics Centre.”

Sufficient rehabilitation for those in prison

Pant says that prisoners are trained in skilled labour so that they can make a living once they leave prison. Prisoners are paid for the products they manufacture. Skilled workers are paid Rs. 100 per day, semi skilled workers get Rs. 80, and unskilled workers get Rs. 60.

How do online marketplaces come in the scene?

The problem is in selling the products.

Pant explains, “We can’t send prisoners to sell these goods while there is a shortage of staff to do the job. Online is our best option.”

Enter online marketplaces. With the possibility of sale of products going online, the revenue from prison made products can go much beyond the present Rs. 6 crore.

This is a relatively new concept in India, whereas it is quite in vogue in countries like Germany, USA, UK, Netherlands, and Peru. If the sale of goods picks up, the government can think of expanding the range of items that can be manufactured in prisons.