Central Jail inmates likely to get better environment for studying

Inmates lodged at the Central Jail on Tajpur Road here will be able to study in a better environment as the state government has asked the jail authorities to send information regarding those inmates who wish to study till postgraduation. The authorities have sent the feedback and expect that better infrastructure will be provided to the inmates to study.

Welfare officer Harbans Singh said, “Those inmates who are interested in studying take their exams through the IGNOU, but some additional information was sought by the head office, and we have come to know that the government is in the process of tying up with the National Institute of Open Schooling (NIOS) and Jagat Guru Nanak Dev Punjab State Open University, Patiala, for the inmates to take exams for classes X, XII, and graduation and postgraduation. Though it is too early to say anything, the details are submitted, and 11 inmates enrolled for postgraduation examinations with the Jagat Guru Nanak Dev State Open University about a week ago.”

The study material is provided by the jail authorities to the inmates for free. The Rs 500 enrolment charges for postgraduate exams are also given by the authorities so that interested inmates can sit for the exams free of cost.

For a change this time, two inmates are taking exams for Class X in Borstal jail (Central Jail). The flying squad officer, Principal of Government Senior Secondary School, PAU, Pradeep Kumar, said he was appointed by the ADC to check the jail at Tajpur Road where two inmates were taking the exam. “It was good to see the two boys taking the exam,” he said. He appreciated the government’s move of making the jail a centre for examination of the inmate. “The best way to take them out of the world of crime was to channel their energies towards a positive direction,” said Pradeep Kumar.

He said initially five inmates were supposed to take the exam, but since three of them crossed 21 years of age, they were shifted elsewhere, and just two could sit for the exam.

There are no teachers in the jail for any classes as of now, but study material is provided to the inmates. District Education Officer (Secondary) Dimple Madan said she had gotten a communication for providing a teacher at the jail, but due to an acute shortage of staff, it was not possible to provide a teacher at the moment. “Besides, we don’t know what the rule book says if we have to provide the teachers or these are to be arranged from some other sources,” said the DEO.