The Kerala State Literacy Mission Authority (KSLMA) has established a study centre at the Poojappura Central Prison, the first such facility for prisoners in the State. The permanent facility, which will have dedicated instructors, will enable prison inmates to register for KSLMA’s Classes 10 and 12 equivalency courses. The endeavour is an extension of the Jail Jyothi project that aimed at attaining 100% literacy in the prisons in Kerala.
The initiative finds much relevance at the Central Prison that has a digitised library of over 16,000 books. Several inmates utilise the facility regularly. “The study centre is a continuation of the efforts to reform the prisoners, numbering over 1,300, by imparting knowledge and instilling hope,” says Deputy Inspector General of Prisons (South Zone) B. Pradeep.
“Many prisoners have landed here owing to unfortunate circumstances. We find that many are confident about rebuilding their lives through education. The equivalency courses could become their stepping stones,” he said. Launching the study centre, KSLMA director P.S. Sreekala said the courses would help prisoners come to the mainstream. “We aspire to instil social awareness in them so that they can lead healthy social lives,” she said.
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Dr. Sreekala said similar facilities would be established in prisons across the State soon. Nineteen inmates registered for the Class 10 equivalency course and 10 for Class 12 equivalency course on the occasion. Certificates were also presented to eight inmates who cleared the Class 10 equivalency examination held recently.
Official sources said 365 prisoners in the State had registered for the basic literacy programme, 191 for Class 4 equivalency, 98 for Class 7 equivalency, 62 for Class 10 equivalency, and 31 for Class 12 equivalency courses. Recently, 297 prisoners had appeared for exams held as part of the Jail Jyothi project.