Bihar Jails See Surge in Educational Enrollment: Over 3,000 Inmates Participate

Patna: The jails of Bihar have seen remarkable progress in recent years, with an increasing number of prisoners taking part in educational programs. In 2024 alone, 3,331 prisoners across the state have enrolled in 10th, 12th, and higher education courses through the National Institute of Open Schooling (NIOS) and Indira Gandhi National Open University (IGNOU).

Among the enrolled prisoners, 1,466 are pursuing their 10th grade, 106 their 12th grade, and 1,759 have opted for higher education. Muzaffarpur Central Jail has shown the most interest in 10th grade enrollment, with 142 prisoners signing up. District Jail Araria has reported 15 prisoners enrolling in 12th grade, while Central Jail Beur leads in higher education enrollment with 327 prisoners this year.

Both NIOS and IGNOU provide free education to inmates, with dedicated centers set up within the jails. Currently, there are 18 IGNOU centers and 57 NIOS centers operational inside Bihar’s prisons. Exams for these courses are being held at 25 centers, starting Thursday.

To further enhance the learning experience, Kindle books and eBooks have been introduced in jail libraries. Three Kindle devices have been provided in each central jail, two in district jails, and one in sub-jails. Inmates are using these devices, alongside traditional books and notebooks, to study both offline and online. Additionally, 20 prisoners are preparing for competitive exams this year, marking a significant step forward in prison education.

Ara Jail has achieved a significant milestone by becoming Bihar’s first fully literate jail, with all inmates now literate. The state has been running a literacy campaign in jails, appointing teachers in almost every facility to ensure prisoners receive proper education. Regular classes are held inside the jails, helping inmates improve their literacy skills.

Bihar currently has 59 jails, including 8 central jails in Patna, Buxar, Motihari, Muzaffarpur, Gaya, Purnia, and Bhagalpur, along with 17 sub-jails.

This development marks a major shift in the approach towards inmate rehabilitation in Bihar, focusing on education as a tool for reform and reintegration into society.