INDIA: BIKANER JAIL INMATES ENCOURAGED TO PRACTISE CARPET WEAVING

(26 Apr 1998) Hindi/Nat Indian jails are well known throughout Asia for their tough conditions. But one jail in the desert state of Rajasthan has redefined the concept of hard labour. In Bikaner jail, inmates are encouraged to practise carpet weaving. It's a chance to preserve the local culture and a chance at getting out of jail early. This is Bikaner jail, in the heart of India's dry desert plain. There are no less than 500 men imprisoned here, some for murder, some for rape and some for armed robbery. But this is no ordinary jail. Located in the land of India's ancient maharajas, Bikaner jail is home to the renowned tradition of carpet weaving -- done by the inmates themselves. It beats the alternative and jail officials say it is helping to preserve Rajasthani culture. SOUNDBITE: (Hindi) "These carpets we make in jail are very special and they have won international medals. People who know anything about carpets know Bikaner jail and they know that we make good carpets. This a part of our tradition and it's a badge of honor for us to carry it on." SUPER CAPTION: A.R. Niazi, Bikaner Jail superintendent The carpets were once sold to royal families in Europe and Asia. Occasionally, a curious tourist shows up at the jail to buy a carpet. A foreign visitor once paid four-thousand 300 U-S dollars for a single carpet. Today, some 70 inmates carry on the tradition begun more than a century ago by a local maharaja. And the rewards are real. For each inch of carpet they weave, the prisoners receive a certain percentage reduction in their sentences. Mostly farmers and labourers, many say they were daunted at first by the task of weaving a whole carpet. SOUNDBITE: (Hindi) "It was very difficult at first. I couldn't believe these men could make carpets because it just looked too difficult. But I spent about three months learning and now I really enjoy it. It's not so difficult." SUPER CAPTION: Kulvinder Singh, imprisoned for murder Bikaner jail is the only one of its kind in India -- producing whole carpets designed and woven by inmates. The looms are outdated and the work tedious but the jail's superintendent believes it is good business and good for the inmates. SOUNDBITE: (Hindi) "This work requires a lot of concentration and teamwork which is good for these men. When they get together and sit down to work, they slowly forget their past and their bad habits. It's part of the rehabilitation process." SUPER CAPTION: A.R. Niazi, Bikaner Jail superintendent This may not be the hard labour inmates expect, but Niazi says it fits the bill. Jail officials hope to open a store show casing the carpets later this year. Meanwhile, whether they like it or not, the inmates are carrying on a unique tradition. Most inmates say they will return to farming or labour once they are released. But the carpets they weave here will grace the floors of homes around the world for generations to come. Find out more about AP Archive: http://www.aparchive.com/HowWeWork Twitter:   / ap_archive   Facebook:   / aparchives   ​​ Instagram:   / apnews   You can license this story through AP Archive: http://www.aparchive.com/metadata/you...