Several states are allowing prison inmates to undergo rehabilitation programmes. Initiatives like the ‘Prison Food Factory’ in Kerala where inmates sell food prepared by them at a low price or Thiruvananthapuram’s first inmates-operated salon encourage correction rather than punishment for convicts.
Kerala’s Prisons Department has another notable rehabilitation initative in its pocket – 78 prison inmates are pursuing higher studies in Arts, Commerce, Business Administration, Journalism, etc. reports The New Indian Express.
“Karnataka State Prisons Department has been declared as the number one in the entire country and we aim to correct, reform and rehabilitate prisoners to enable them to become good human beings and socially responsible citizens in society. Improving education will reduce chances of repeat offences and those who seek to improve their education will be seen as role models for other inmates,” said DGP NS Megharikh.
The higher education programmes are mostly part-time or distance education from open universities. Many of the women convicts are pursuing certificate courses on food and nutrition.
One convict is studying Criminal Justice. Another 40-year-old inmate has completed his BCom, MCom, MA in Journalism and MBA in Marketing from inside the prison!
Velu, who was earlier convicted for murder, completed his MBA from the University of Mysore and then pursued his doctorate in BASM Alternative Systems of Medicine.
All the inmates have access to a full-fleged library and have guest lecturers come in occassionally. They are also provided with print-outs of study materials.
One of the convicts said that studying gave them “a sense of purpose and hope as well as offers a realistic pathway towards living a different life upon release”.
It is true that education helps people lead better lives and instills in them a sense of purpose. Other prisons should think about starting similar initiatives.