25, from pursuing a degree in social work. He is among more than 150
inmates enrolled in postgraduate courses at South Asia's largest
prison - an effort that is not only earning them an education but also
changing them behaviorally.
Azarika, who is on trial for a scam, told the sources "I have been
here for 13 months. For over a month I confined myself to a corner.
But after the jail superintendent asked me to continue postgraduation,
I'm doing a degree in social work. Now I have gained confidence that
soon I will be out and lead a normal life."
Education is changing lives for many of the 10,500 inmates in Tihar.
"Tihar Jail believes education may help reduce crime and instil
prudence among prisoners," Manoj K. Dwivedi, jail superintendent in
Tihar Jail, told the sources.
"More than 150 inmates are pursuing different postgraduate courses and
we have seen a tremendous change in their behavioral pattern after
they take up education," he added.
"Equipping them with sound education will keep them out of criminal
activities once they finish serving their sentences," Dwivedi said.
The postgraduate courses are run by the Indira Gandhi National Open
University (IGNOU), Asia's largest open university. These are in
business administration, commerce, public administration, Hindi,
creative English, political science, social work, tourism, arts,
comerce and social work, and also various diplomas and certificate
courses in fields like social work, human rights, food and nutrition.
Undertrials and convicts who are school dropouts are also encouraged
to pick up where they left off through the National Institute of Open
Schooling (NIOS).
Dwivedi believes the prisoners who attend educational programmes are
less likely to return to prison after their release. They have a
degree and are confident of getting a job after the release and not
turn to crime, he said.
"Without any kind of skill, they will be back here in no time, but
with an educational certificate under their arm, they will not be back
in prison," he added.
Till 2009, the inmates had to pay Rs.150,000 to Rs.200,000 to enroll
with the Jail Study Centre of IGNOU. With a huge response from
prisoners, the university waived the fee for inmates from last year.
Gaijaomei George Kamei, who is on trial for the murder of his
girlfriend in 2009, is preparing for his Union Public Service
Commission (UPSC) exams.
"I cannot repent for what has happened but move forward," Kamei said.
Both he and Azarika say the prison has changed for the better.
Sandeep Singh, who has completed his masters in tourism from jail and
is on trial for criminal conspiracy and murder, said, "At times we
have problems with other inmates. While preparing for exams, I usually
study after 10 p.m. or early in the morning so I will be less
distracted."
Dwivedi said some people were still reluctant to pursue their studies
as they were not sure whether they would get a job or that society
would accept them.
"After much persuasion and talking to different companies, we brought
job placements for jail inmates and it was successful. About 40
prisoners were given placement," he said.
IGNOU has set up regional centres in 27 states to coordinate with
jails. Since 1994 about 6,570 jail inmates had enrolled themselves in
its various degree programmes. This year alone, 2,929 prisoners have
enrolled themselves in 47 jails across various states.
A noted example of a person studying behind bars is Nalini Sriharan,
who was jailed for assassinating then prime minister Rajiv Gandhi. She
was the first prisoner to get a master's degree with distinction in
computer applications (MCA) from IGNOU in 2009.
"Their is no change in the curriculum for jail inmates, the usual
course material is given to them. But unlike the other students, jail
inmates have more classes and face-to-face sessions with the
teachers," said Neeta Kapai, head of campus placement cell, IGNOU.
She also said more foreign language-oriented courses would be included
as prison inmates would demand courses on French, German and Spanish.
"Though we have such courses in IGNOU, we haven't started to allow
those for jail inmates, but it is likely this year," she said. IANS
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