The companies hired 43 jail inmates--some serving jail terms after being convicted of murder--for various posts including as executive managers and  sales executives. The companies included Agarwal Packers, Vedanta Foundation, Good Housekeeping, Relaxo and Parado Security.

"Al 43 inmates whose names were put forward as our best candidates were selected. Fourteen of them have got the joining letters here today. The rest will get it in two days’s time," Neeraj Kumar, DG, Tihar Prisons, said.

Kumar said many of the selected inmates have received job offers from more than one company.

"We have left it to the respective inmate to decide where he wishes to join," he said. A total of nine companies conducted the recruitment drive today. Agarwal packers has selected a maximum number of candidates by hiring 30 inmates for their offices.

"These companies did not hesitate to recruit inmates. Siddharth Jetley was selected by Agarwal Packers for the post of executive manager. He was been charged under Section Section 364 and 302 of IPC.

Another inmate who too was charged  for murder--George John--got triple offers at a time. Vedanata Foundation, Creative Innovation and JRA & Associates  -- all three want John him to join their office," the DG said.

The jail authorities decided to go for the placement drive after they realised that even after reforming prisoners and making them professionally qualified, they do not get a job after their release due to their criminal background, he said.

Kumar said the job placement is being done to help the prisoners earn and live with dignity. "It will also prevent them from committing crime in the future," he said. "Seeing to the success of this campus placement, we have decided to make this a regular feature. We also invite other corporate houses to give the same opportunity to other inmates.
We will include women prisoners too in our next such venture," he added