Indian state mulls a dose of culture to reform prisoners Prison authorities in southern India are planning to introduce inmates to poetry, literature and music as part of a novel reform plan, a minister said Tuesday. Poets, playwrights, authors and musicians will participate in readings and live performances, as well as share their experiences with inmates, said Kerala state home minister Kodiyeri Balakrishnan. "Jails should not be used as torture grounds. They might have committed crimes but we should help them to reform themselves," Balakrishnan told AFP. "We want to reform the prisoners and shine some light into their lives." Kerala has 39 prisons housing thousands of inmates. Though Balakrishnan did not say how soon the "cultural interventions" would start, prison authorities said they were aiming to organise the first series of interactions in the next few months. The proposal was first mooted earlier this year by the Kerala Sahitya Akademi, the body representing artists and writers. "I love to go and perform before the prisoners if I get an opportunity. Nobody is born a criminal," said poet Vinayachandran, a member of the Akademi who uses only one name. Senior prison official M.G.A. Raman said he hoped the proposed meetings would "contribute to positive changes in behaviour and attitudes of the prisoners. "Poetry and music help them to relax. We encourage prisoners to study more and take degrees and conduct classes for them. So when they come out of prisons, they can begin a new life," he said. The move is reminiscent of measures introduced in Tihar Jail, India's largest prison in New Delhi. Tihar Jail authorities have introduced yoga and meditation sessions for inmates along with pottery, candle-making and computer programmes as part of its reform plan. (Copyright © 2007 Agence France Presse. )