Matters India Reporter
Midnapore, August 15, 2022: What started as a casual visit to a Correctional Home (Central Prison) in Berhampore in Murshidabad district of West Bengal, is now 25 years old and founder has turned 80 years old on August 15.
Salesian Fr Scaria Nedumattathil of Calcutta province is currently developing a Human Resource Development center at Dhobasole in West Midnapore district of West Bengal known to be Maoist militant infested area colloquially referred to as “Jungle Mahal.”
Turning 80 years, Fr Scaria marked the occasion with inauguration of Vocational Training Centre to create alternative skills for employment of youth who otherwise could fall prey to militancy.
Don Bosco Prison Ministry is the brain child and fruit of passionate pioneering efforts of Fr. Scaria whose vision of prison ministry is “to restore freedom, honor and dignity to every one behind the bars”.
The motto for his mission is, “to reform, release, rehabilitate and to reintegrate prisoners”.
Fr Scaria started providing prisoners free legal assistance, counseling, and various Skill training programs for their rehabilitation. The prisoners are also provided opportunities for sports and games, and holistic growth by way of music and cultural programs.
Today, Don Bosco Prison Ministry reaches out to the prisoners` children as well, with special programs, as these are deprived of parental care and assistance.
He established vocational training programs in several prisons in West Bengal and neighboring states of Jharkhand and Bihar.
Fr Scaria stated that the direct beneficiaries of the ministry are about 25,330 prisoners and the indirect beneficiaries are about 45,000 family members of the prisoners.
He is credited to have established the only recognized Motor Driving School in a Prison in the whole world.
In 2015, he was awarded Paschual Chavez award for innovative ministries according to Salesian charism carried out in a substantial way over the years, and in an innovative manner, which is worthy of imitation by others.
Fr Pascual Chávez Villanueva was Rector Major of Salesians of Don Bosco between April 3, 2002 and March 25, 2014.
Don Bosco Prison Ministry takes permission from the appropriate Government Authorities ( Department of Prisons, Director General of Prisons, Inspector General of Correctional services or any other proper channel) to undertake welfare activities for prisoners in varies locations. Identified activities are implemented in collaboration with local jail authorities.
Besides prison ministry, Fr Scaria is credited to have single-handedly founded five Human Resource Development centers of Monsada in North 24 Parganas, Monigram, Talkola and Berhampore in Murshidabad, and now Dhobasole in West Midnapore districts of West Bengal.
When I was in prison, you came to visit me – says the Lord.