Diwali 2026: How Prisoners Are Making Festive Products and Rebuilding Their Lives

Prisoners in Chandigarh, Faridabad and Thane are making candles, diyas, sweets and other products this Diwali. These help them develop practical skills, earn money and prepare for life after prison.

Diwali Behind Bars: Inmates Make Candles, Diyas and Sweets to Earn and Learn

Diwali is a time when people decorate their homes with diyas, candles, lanterns and other festive items. But some of these products have a different story behind them. They are made by prison inmates who are learning new skills, earning money and preparing for life after release.

At Model Jail in Chandigarh, a special section called Avishkaar provides inmates with skill development and job-oriented training. They learn activities such as candle-making, painting, sculpture, tailoring and cooking.

Ahead of Diwali 2026, around 15 to 20 inmates were making scented candles, while others were creating paintings, sculptures and clothes. They were also preparing festive sweets such as milk cake, barfi and gulab jamun. These products are sold at an outlet near Gate No. 1 in Sector 22 market. Inmates receive daily wages based on their skills, ranging from Rs.130 for unskilled work to Rs.150 for skilled work. Participation in these activities is voluntary.

The main aim of the initiative is to help inmates develop practical skills that they can use to earn a living after leaving prison.

Faridabad Jail Inmates Make Over 250 Diwali Gift Hampers

A similar initiative was organised at Faridabad District Jail in Haryana through Phoenix Creations, a student-led project started by Meher Gupta in collaboration with the India Vision Foundation, founded by former IPS officer Kiran Bedi and her parents.

More than 100 inmates participated in the project and made over 250 Diwali gift hampers. They received training in making candles, diyas, crochet products, traditional door decorations and baked items. The programme also included sessions on digital and financial skills to help inmates prepare for life outside prison.

The initiative aimed to combine practical training with opportunities to earn and become financially independent.

Thane Central Jail Holds Annual Diwali Exhibition

In Maharashtra, Thane Central Jail opened its annual Diwali exhibition on November 4, 2026, showcasing products made by inmates. The exhibition features handmade lanterns, earthen diyas, torans, jute bags, blankets and festive food items such as chakli, faral and nankhatai.

This year, visitors can scan a QR code displayed with each product category to learn how the items were made and understand their importance.

The exhibition also builds on the success of the previous year, when it earned around Rs.3 lakh in just three days.

How Skill Development Can Help Inmates Rebuild Their Lives

Finding employment after leaving prison can be difficult for many former inmates because of the challenges they face while returning to society. Programmes that provide vocational training and opportunities to earn money can help them develop useful skills and become more independent.

From making candles and festive decorations to preparing sweets and gift hampers, these initiatives give inmates an opportunity to learn, work and earn while serving their sentences.

These Diwali products are more than just festive decorations. They represent the opportunity to learn new skills, earn a living and work towards a fresh start.