Chandigarh: In a rehabilitation-focused initiative, inmates at Sonipat district jail will now be trained in culinary skills under a structured programme launched by the Haryana State Legal Services Authority (HALSA).Introduced under the guidance of Justice Deepak Sibal, judge of the Punjab and Haryana high court and executive chairman of HALSA, the initiative aims to equip inmates with practical skills to help them rebuild their lives after release.The one-month certificate course in Culinary Skills and Restaurant Management is being conducted in collaboration with the District Legal Services Authority (DLSA), Sonepat, and a private university in Delhi-NCR, Sonepat.The programme goes beyond basic cooking lessons and includes training in kitchen management, food safety, menu planning and customer service. Inmates will also receive exposure to financial literacy, entrepreneurship, communication skills, personality development, as well as legal awareness and access to legal aid.HALSA member secretary Jagdeep Singh said such initiatives can play an important role in reducing recidivism and helping inmates reintegrate into mainstream society.He urged inmates to make full use of the opportunity, saying that while they may face physical restrictions under the law, there should be no barriers to their personal growth and reform.The course follows a “learning by doing” model, combining hands-on training with simulations and team-based exercises. On completion, participants will be awarded certificates to improve their employability in the hospitality sector or support future entrepreneurial ventures.Judicial officers, academic representatives and jail authorities were present at the launch. Officials said the initiative could serve as a model for similar rehabilitation programmes across the state.
