Working as a horticulture and floriculture wage labourer on the jail premises, he earns money and sends it to his daughter, thanks to the various vocational jobs introduced over the past few years.
"Donbok saves enough money and sends it home to his daughter regularly. This way, father and daughter have been able to maintain their loving relationship," said a jail official.
With over 300 inmates, the Shillong District Jail has a long way to go in making its premises worthy of living for the prisoners. However, keen on providing them with a way of living, the jail authorities introduced horticulture and floriculture.
A horticulture mission under the North Eastern Himalayan Region was sponsored by the Meghalaya Directorate of Horticulture last year to help the under-trial prisoners (UTPs) and convicts earn while in jail.
"An area of 248.40 sq m was earmarked for planting Gerbera flowers, besides other horticulture crops such as cauliflower, cabbage, radish, French beans and mustard plants," said a jail official.
"The state directorate of horticulture has extended its scheme to the Shillong District Jail as a pilot project and we have agreed to support it by arranging labour for implementation," he added.
He also said an agency of the government has been marketing the produce. "Since most of the convicts lack skills, they are engaged as unskilled labourers," he said.
The jail authorities also have plans to introduce poultry and piggery in future.
The jail also has a study centre for enabling inmates to acquire degrees and diplomas while serving their terms.
"Three inmates have been enroled in educational courses offered by the Indira Gandhi National Open University (Ignou) this year," said a source.
The jail authorities have set up a water treatment plant, besides putting up water purifiers and proper toilets, for ensuring health and hygiene on the jail premises.
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