Education -Brings major change in the minds of Prisoners

Hi,In this section, we bring about the changes the education had brought in the minds of prisoners in Trichirappalli, South India is brought in.The 12 years successful experience of our NGO New Life is documented in this section.

" REFORMATION THROUGH EDUCATION " A SUCCESS STORYIN TRICHY RANGEEducation is essential in any walk of life in the modern scenario. Changes are bound to take place where education spreads its wings. The aim of education is enrichment of personality. With the changes in the objective of imprisonment from custody to reformation, education has become a major plank in the correctional system.The objective of Prison Education has come to mean, socialization and rehabilitation of the inmate so that they may return to society as normal citizens. Education is a process by which the knowledge, character and behavior of the inmates can be moulded.The problem of education in jails involves more intensive organization than in society in general. Education in jails is not simply related to literacy but it is essentially correlated with the problem of reorientation and treatment of personality disorders of deviants. The task of re-education of offenders is much more difficult than ordinary education. Deeply rooted complexes have to be resolved in order to make them normal citizens. Re-education of the offenders is possible only in a wholesome environment where the teachers have a humanitarian approach and give attention where necessary. As the inmates are very much interested in learning in batches educational programmes conducted not exceeding two hours per day.EDUCATIONAL ACHIEVEMENTS OF CENTRAL PRISON TRICHY INMATESCentral Prison, Trichy is one of the biggest prison in the country. Prisoners from Trichy, Karur, Perambalur, Ariyalur, Tanjore, Pudukottai, Sivaganga, Dindugal and Tiruvarur districts are being lodged here. In time of yore, the prime aim in setting up a jail was to segregate the offenders from society. But as per the modern social systems and concept prisons are not a place for punishment, but a centre of correctional treatment and reformation. The Central Prison, Trichy functions as per this ideology for the betterment of the victims of circumstances. So Rehabilitation through Education is the present strategy of this prison, Educate and illuminate is its present slogan and moto.Earlier the Central Prison had only adult education. Realizing the need of education at all levels for the creating awareness in the mind of the inmates, which can lead to their transformation four level education programme were organized.
1. Academic Education
2. Vocational Education
3. Computer Education
4. Non formal Education
1. ACADAMIC EDUCATION
a) Primary Education -
Adult Education CentreA Primary Literacy Programme is organized for the illiterate inmates who form the major population of the prison. Educated inmates, service minded students, teachers and retired teachers help in educating the illiterate.b) Higher EducationFour Special Study Centres have been established for the benefit of the literate inmates who have qualified through the Adult Education School.
1. Indira Gandhi National Open University Special Study Centre.
2. Tamil Nadu Open University Study Centre.
3. Madras University Distance Education Study Centre.
4. Manonmaniam Sundaranar University
Every academic years more number of prison inmates have studied and completed their studies such as Under Graduate, Post Graduate and other Professional CoursesMADRAS UNIVERSITY (INSTITUTE OF DISTANCE EDUCATION CHENNAI, TAMILNADU)Distance Education Programme was commenced in the
Year No.of Inmates
2003-2006 M.A (History) 14
2003-2006 B.A Music 7
TAMIL NADU OPEN UNIVERSITY, CHENNAI.This Year 2007 - 2008 there are more inmates of Prison under go various UG Courses
Year Course Duration No.of Inmates
2007-2008 B.C.A 3 Yrs 9
B.Com 2
B.Sc (Psychology) 1
B.A (Public Administration) 5
B.A (English) 1
B.A (History) 7
B.A (Social Work) 3
B.A (Physical Science) 11
B.A (Economics) 8
Total 47
INDIRA GANDHI NATIONAL OPEN UNIVERSITY, DELHI.The Following Course have been under taken by the prisoners in IGNOU from the Year 2002 to 2008
Year No.of Inmates Benefited
2001-2002 Certificate in Computer (CIC) 13
2002-2003 Certificate in food and nutrition(C.F.N) 14
2003 - 2004 12
2005 - 2006C.F.N & C.W.D.L 22(Women Empowerment)
2006 - 2007 C.F.N 10
2007 - 2008 C.F.N & C.W.D.L 15
to be enrolledMANONMANIAM SUNDARANAR UNIVERSITY, TIRUNELVELI.The following course have been taken from Manonmaniam Sundaranar University
Year Course Duration No.of Inmates Benefited
2000 - 2002 M.A (History) 2 Years 14
2001 - 2003 M.A (History) 122

VOCATIONAL EDUCATION
Vocational Education also called carrier and technical education prepares learners for carriers that are based in manual are practical activities, traditionally non academic and totally related to a specific trade, occupation or vocation, hence the term in which the learners participate. In Central Prison, Trichy the following vocational Education are imparted to the prisoners through various institutions.
VARIOUS VOCATIONAL COURSES
There are various Vocational Courses initiated in Year 2007
Year Course No. of Inmates Enrolled
2007 - 2008 Four Wheeler Mechanic 1 year 32
2007 - 2008 Fashion Design 1 year 7
2007 - 2008 House Electrician 1 year 18
2007 - 2008 Air condition & refrigeration 1 Year 18
Total 75

PLUMBING TRAINING
(Technical Trading Programme )There are also Certificate Courses from the year 2004 to 2007
Year No. of Inmates Benefited
2004 58
2005 48
2006 35
2007 53
COMPUTER EDUCATION:
After Education through university, Computer Education has been introduced to inmates as a continuing process of reformation. Successful inmates are issued Completion Certificates.In Central Prison, Trichy, Computer Education has been offered from the year 2003 to 2007. The Details of Inmates benefited in the Computer Education are furnished below.
Year Course No.of Inmates Benefited
2003-2004 Computer Basics & Office Automation 34
2004-2005 Computer Basics & Office Automation 54
2005-2006 Computer Basics & Office Automation 50
2006-2007 Computer Basics & Office Automation 50
2007-2008 Computer Basics & Office Automation 94

NON FORMAL EDUCATIONIn Central Prison,Trichy Continuing Education has been started with the help of the District Collector, Trichirappalli. The Educative prisoners have been appointed as instructors. The Non formal Education Scheme namely Valarkalvi Thittam was launched in the all the prisons of Trichy Range and this Scheme is a Special type of Educational scheme in which inmates at the age from 18 to 81 are benefited. Date of commencement and number of inmates being benefited are given below.
Period No. of prisoners being benefited.
15.09.2007 to 30.09.2007 210
01.10.2007 to 31.10.2007 218
01.11.2007 to 30.11.2007 212
01.12.2007 to 31.12.2007 205
01.01.2008 to 31.01.2008 207
01.02.2008 to 29.02.2008 210

Press had also covered our efforts in coordinating with various Universities/Instituions in arranging these educational programmes going on in Central Prison, Trichirappalli for the benefit of the public.