The upcoming Sahitya Sammelana in Dharwad will have some unique guests among the audience. The jail inmates from Dharwad prisons have expressed their desire to attend the sammelana which is scheduled to begin in Dharwad from January 4th.

Responding positively to their demand, the jail authorities are planning to allow few select prisoners to attend the sammelana along with the guard of police personnel. “The interest of prisoners over the Kannada language is appreciable. The demand has been considered and we will plan accordingly. A request in this regard will be sent to heads in Bengaluru,” Anita R, Jail superintendent.

“The prisoners are enthusiastic about attending sammelana and they have expressed their desire. But there are hurdles as the prisoners should be taken under tight security and hundreds of prisoners are there. We are planning to list out the prisoners with good conducts and good track record during their stay in jail, and such inmates will be given a chance to attend functions at sammelana,” she said.

A senior Kannada writer said, on humanity basis, the police should allow prisoners to witness the historical event which is taking place after six decades in the city.

“The concerned department should provide the facilities for inmates. The prisoners can be taken under security to the venue. They may not get such chance again. Most of the prisoners in Dharwad jail are working and they have involved in one or the other work. They manage the shops and also contribute their talent by producing various products in festivals,” he said.

Senior officials said that such programmes allowing inmates to attend government and private functions were not tried before. “Though the prisoners with good conduct are selected the adequate security arrangements are necessary whenever prisoners are taken out,” said a senior police officer.

The Dharwad jail has been taking several positive steps to bring in discipline among the prisoners. There are 560 inmates residing in Dharwad jail and many of them are involved in agricultural fields, cattle sheds and craft making works. Two months back the women prisoners from Dharwad jail had made diyas for Deepawali festival and they were also put up for sale at a special counter created near central prisons.