IGNOU reaches out to uneducated inmates

Irrespective of their past, the inmates of Indore Central Jail are trying to improve their future by pursuing studies. The courses are being offered to the inmates by IGNOU which has established a special study center on the premises of jail.

Superintendent Gopal Tamrakar told dna that IGNOU has established special study center to help the inmates willing to study. 

"As many as 125 inmates have enrolled themselves in Bachelor Preparatory Programme (BPP) which is most popular course among the prisoners," said Tamrakar.

"The trend is changing and inmates have shown interest in education, vocational courses, skill development programmes and training. The number of students at IGNOU center is a reflection of the change witnessed among the inmates," said Tamrakar.

He said, "The center has its won teachers but some inmates with proper qualification also educate the inmates."

The center offers courses which include BPP, Computer Literacy Programme (CLP), Certificate Programme in Rural Development (CRD) and Certificate in Food and Nutrition (CFN).

Sources said the center will provide other courses if demanded by the inmates.

Apart from studies, the Indore Central Jail provides training to inmates in printing, carpentry, wood carving, leather goods, tailoring, etc. Vocational courses are conducted by jail administration for imparting technical skills among the interested inmates. Jail administration also arranges sale of goods produced by the inmates by establishing sale counters out of jail. Their products are promoted through exhibitions and fairs organised across the state.

Indore Central Jail, one of the oldest jail of central India has emerged as a model jail of the state and the jail headquarters had recently asked the jail authorities from across the state to visit Indore central jail and observe the facilities.