Vocational training is one of the major tools for reformation and rehabilitation of the convicted prisoners in correctional Institutions. In India, the vocational training programmes provide opportunities for the prison inmates to engage themselves in fruitful pursuits during the term of their sentence in jails. Such training not only provides prison inmates value for their work but also helps in developing the prisoners learning skills which can enable them to follow a vocation after release from the jail.

With the motto ‘Freedom, Honour, Dignity’, DBDOC intervened in prisons to provide job oriented training for the welfare of inmates of Berhampore Central Correctional Home (Jail) in West Bengal in March 1998. Vocational training courses, such as motor driving, motor mechanics, auto electrical, house wiring, garment making, musical Band, etc. were started to give a job oriented opportunity to these youth. After releasing from prison, they re-acclimated to life outside jail with the skills, and are able to secure full-time careers.

In year 2000, Don Bosco Prison Ministry extended its activities to Lalgola Open Air Jail by providing prisoners rickshaws, small shops, bags production centre, garment making etc. In 2002, Don Bosco Prison Ministry took up similar activities at Midnapore Central Jail. Computer training courses, garment making, electrical maintenance, welding etc were started in Midnapore Central correctional Home (jail). Now Prison Ministry carried on its expansion to 10 central prisons and district jails in West Bengal and imparted training in various demand driven courses for wage based employment or micro entrepreneurship. Vocational training by the Prison Ministry is playing an important role in the social and economic rehabilitation of the prison inmates, after released from the jail.