Kolkata, Dec 17 (IANS): Inmates lodged in West Bengal's correctional homes will get an opportunity to showcase their handmade crafts and other products at a winter carnival organised by the state, a minister said here on Monday.

"We have tried this so that inmates of all the correctional homes of the state can come here and sell the products they have made. Also, the common people will get to see how the inmates are leading their lives inside the jail," State Correctional Administration Minister Ujjwal Biswas said.

The carnival, to be held outside Presidency Correctional Home on December 22-23, will mainly showcase the handmade products made by inmates from more than 50 jails, known as correctional homes in the state.

Apart from beautifully stitched garments and crafts, the inmates will sell bakery products during the two-day carnival.

"The inmates of women's correctional homes make bakery products inside the jail. For the first time they will be able to sell it," their trainer, Kabita Roy revealed.

Roy mentioned that they make cakes, cookies and even beautiful sarees that will be available at the event just before Christmas.

The inmates have been nursing a desire for long to bring their creations before the public and they want them to see how they are actually correcting their lives with the support of the government, she said.

The general public can come and buy the handmade goods and eatables. Cultural programmes are also planned for the two-day event.