Officials at Herat Prison say that hundreds of inmates are engaged in various vocational and technical training programs within the prison.

Most of these prisoners have started earning income by learning technical skills. The aim of organizing these courses is to provide job opportunities for inmates after their release.

"Three hundred inmates are working in the industrial section. The vocational and technical sections include tailoring, carpet weaving, bead weaving, and mobile phone repair,” said Sayed Ahmad Majmar, the military director of Herat prison.

One of these inmates, Payman Shah Barakzai, has professionally learned tailoring and is earning income through it.

"I have twelve dependents, and through hard work here, I am covering their expenses,” he said.

The inmates hope that after their release, they can start a new life using the skills they’ve learned, distancing themselves from their past and gaining honorable employment.

"I’m very happy this industrial section has become active. I come here daily, receive training, and have decided to start a business in this field after my release,” said Mohammad Aqil, another trainee inmate.

"I’ve learned a profession here, and when I get out of prison, I will open a shop for myself. I've been in prison for five months and come here daily to learn a skill,” said Gholam Saeed, another inmate trainee.

Sayed Kazem, who also participates in the program, said: "I work and also receive a salary. I plan to continue this profession both inside and outside the prison."

According to statistics, over 2,700 inmates are held in Herat prison, including nearly 100 children and 350 women.

Vocational training programs are organized in shifts for interested inmates to help facilitate rehabilitation and reintegration into society.