Workshops support inmates through Leisure and Creativity
Tihar Jail - New Delhi
Life is to be enjoyed, not merely endured!
Prison as a correctional service, serves best when it transforms inmates’ lives and helps them to live a normal civic life. Samarpan Foundation has constantly worked with inmates and their families through healing, counselling, education and various other projects.
As a part of one such initiative, in March 2016, Mr. Satyam Shekhar, a social worker and a Personality Development teacher, started working with inmates aged 18-21 in Central Jail No. 7, in workshops that helped to reduce the monotony in their lives.
Using leisure and creativity as the prime stimulus, Mr. Shekhar has designed workshops that have helped over a hundred inmates to express themselves artistically. From expressing their guilt and grievances to joy and love within a large group, they have slowly worked their way into developing an open support group. The amazing craftwork and sharing of inmates is incredible to see. Their self-expression in art, music and various activities speaks of hope and faith!
The varied workshops include art and crafts, Nukkad Natak (street-theatre), multiple indoor games, stress management, music, poetry, sports, sher-o-shayri, prose and drawing. Through participation and exploration in the sessions, inmates have shown much enthusiasm for workshops and have constantly pushed their intellectual and emotional energies while working, both with the groups and individually.
