Narayanganj: Country’s first-ever mini-garment factory, set up in a jail to facilitate income-generating activities, for prisoners will be opened here on Wednesday.

Home Minister Asaduzzaman Khan will inaugurate the mini-garment factory at the district jail.

The milestone initiative will facilitate the prisoners to earn money employing their labour while serving jail term and thus learn skills.

Some 300-400 prisoners to be trained by Bangladesh Knitwear Manufacturers and Exporters Association (BKMEA) will be able to work in the mini-garment factory in two shifts, said Narayanganj Jail Superintendent Subhas Kumar Ghosh.

The earnings of the prisoners will be credited to their respective accounts. They can send the money to their families or withdraw the entire amount together while leaving the jail, he said.

Earlier on May 30 last, work on the garment factory was inaugurated by Deputy Commissioner Rabbi Miah.

While opening a display and selling centre for the jail products at the jail gate, he also laid the foundation stone of a training and rehabilitation centre inside the jail.

The garment factory was built on 5,000 square feet of area with the help of the district administration and the Department of Social Services. A total of 57 machines, including sewing and embroidery ones imported from abroad, were installed at the factory, said Subhas.

There is a plan to import the fabrics to be produced in the garment factory as well as other handicrafts abroad, he said.

The jail authorities have also taken some other initiatives to create income-generating activities for the prisoners and rehabilitate them.

As part of the initiative, six looms have already been installed inside the jail where 12 prisoners are working for producing Jamdani fabrics while 20-25 are producing bed sheets.

DC Rabbi Miah in a recent programme said the mini-garment factory will be a milestone as the prisoners will get a means to better pass their time and earn at the same time.

‘Although various handicraft projects were taken at different jails, setting up of a garment factory to transform the prisoners into a workforce is the first in the country’s history,’ he said.

Alongside their earnings, the prisoners will be able to start a new business after their jail life using their acquired skill and experience, the DC said.