From correspondents in Delhi, India, 09:01 PM IST

The Delhi government is proposing to construct four prisons to decongest the existing ones, Chief Minister Sheila Dikshit said here Tuesday.

'There is a proposal to construct new jails at Narela, Ghitorni and Bapraula areas in Delhi to decongest the existing prisons. A new jail complex consisting of six jails is coming up at Mandoli for lodging around 3,500 prisoners. The construction is likely to complete in next year,' Dikshit said.

Delhi has 10 prisons, nine within Tihar prison complex and one in Rohini, housing 13,500 prisoners against the sanctioned capacity of 6,250.

Dikshit, who inaugurated a Vocational Training Institute in Tihar jail, said the courses offered there will improve prisoners' vocational skills and employability, and prepare them for employment or self-employment after their release.

The courses are offered in 14 sectors including automotive repair, beauty culture and hair dressing, carpet, electrical, fabrication, garment making, hospitality, khadi, printing, refrigeration and air-conditioning, Indian sweets, snacks and amp; food, construction, wood work and food processing and preservation.

'The National Council for Vocational Training (NCVT) will award certificates to successful trainees and these certificates will not bear the name of Tihar jail. The successful inmates will be provided work at the jail factory and Tihar administration will start networking with the industry for placement of trained inmates on their release,' she said.

Four hundred jail inmates have enrolled for various courses.

(Staff Writer, © IANS)