Hyderabad: The Telangana Prisons and Correctional Services Department on Wednesday launched the REHAI women inmates programme to help women prisoners become professional fashion artisans. The initiative focuses on advanced training, branding and market access.
Director General of Prisons and Correctional Services Dr. Soumya Mishra launched the Rehabilitation and Empowerment Initiative for Women Inmates (REHAI) at the Special Prison for Women in Hyderabad. The department partnered with Her Rights Foundation, represented by Divya Reddy and Bobby Kandhari, to implement the programme.
The initiative will strengthen tailoring and embroidery skills. It will also introduce advanced design techniques, product development, branding and market linkages. In addition, it builds on the 100-day skill development programme conducted earlier by the Prisons Department in association with the National Academy of Construction (NAC).
REHAI women inmates programme targets global markets
The department said products created under REHAI would be sold through the Telangana Prisons Department’s Upscale and High Society market. Later, the products will be introduced across South India. Eventually, the department plans to enter national and international markets.
Meanwhile, fashion professional Divya Reddy will mentor the women inmates. She has worked with leading designers and participated in Lakmé Fashion Week. She will train inmates in contemporary fashion, quality standards and product finishing. As a result, they can meet premium market expectations.
Further, the Prisons Department and Her Rights Foundation plan to organise a designer fashion show in London. The event will showcase garments created by women inmates before an international audience.
REHAI women inmates programme focuses on rehabilitation
Speaking at the launch, Dr. Soumya Mishra said rehabilitation should extend beyond vocational training. Instead, it should provide advanced skills, professional mentorship and market access. She said these opportunities would help women inmates rebuild their lives with dignity and achieve financial independence.
The programme was attended by Dr. D. Srinivas, Deputy Inspector General of Prisons; N. Shiva Kumar Goud, Superintendent of Central Prison, Hyderabad; T. Venkata Lakshmi Srinath, Superintendent of the Special Prison for Women; B. Amaravathi, Deputy Superintendent of Prisons; representatives of Her Rights Foundation; prison officials, staff members and women inmates.