Igniting minds of jailbirds
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Maria Selvi Dasan has been visiting the Coimbatore central prison for the last 12 years. She meets a large group of her ‘family’ there every week and prays for their well-being.
Surprised? She visits the prisoners, who she believes are part of her ‘Jesus family’ and works for their welfare. Sister Selvi, 63, is a familiar face among the 2,000 odd male inmates, who say she has brought degree classes and dance lessons into their dark cells.
Before entering to the prison service, Sister Selvi was working in a convent in Sathyamangalam, where forest brigand Veerappan had ruled the roost. She had encouraged many girl children to enroll in schools. The psychology graduate was chosen by her superiors to counsel the prisoners. “First I went only to counsel. But when many began calling me ‘Amma’, they all became part of my family”, she told DC.
Recalling her ‘prison life’ she said, “In 2001, the then DIG Esra allowed me into the prison on the condition that I will not carry my bible and preach religion inside. But I could cleanse those souls. I kept my promise. The religion I preach is all about love, compassion and honest living”.
Sister Selvi found many prisoners badly needed de-stressing sessions regularly. “Most of them told me they committed violent crime in the flick of the moment due to sudden anger and they regretted the mistake for life. Many suffer depression as families shun them”.
She travels alone to remote areas to meet the prisoners’ families for counseling. “I try to find out their needs. Sometimes, a child needs school admission or a family needs a loan. I try to help”, she said. Many rehabilitated prisoners visit Selvi Amma to convey gratitude and assure her they are leading fresh lease of life.
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