Over 3,500 prisoners in C'garh jails become literate

The literacy programmes are being implemented in Chhattisgarh jails on the directions of the state government.

1,183 prisoners have passed the primary school exam in the academic year 2011-12. While 577 prisoners have passed the secondary school exam, 256 others have passed higher secondary exam. While 68 prisoners have become graduates, 23 others have received post-graduate degrees.

In many jails in the state, prisoners can pursue courses offered by Indira Gandhi National Open University (IGNOU), they said.

Additional Director General (Prisons) Giridhari Nayak said, "In most of the cases, illiteracy and lack of education is the cause behind the crime. Considering the importance of education, 29 teachers have been appointed to teach the prisoners. They are giving lessons right from primary level up to post-graduate level."

Nayak added that 57 prisoners of Raipur central jail are getting lessons in various subjects like astrology, Ayurved, vastu-shastra, offered by the Sanskrit Mandalam, which provides monthly scholarship of Rs 82, school uniform and free textbooks to these prisoners.

It has also offered several vocation courses.

According to Nayak, Naxal prisoners are also being encouraged to become literate and so that they can easily join the mainstream.