The two are among 145 inmates from nine prisons in Maharashtra to have received special remission between 2019 and June 2023 for completing SSC/HSC, graduation or postgraduation programmes. Undertrials and convicts can study in prison, but only convicts are eligible for remission on completion of programmes. In all, study centres function inside 10 prisons in Maharashtra.
Prison officials say pursuing education often gives inmates purpose during incarceration. “Some inmates end up in prison at a young age and readily take up the opportunity to study. Others may take up courses with the hope of finding better employment opportunities after their release,” said a senior prison official. For those serving life sentences, education helps in coping with the harsh reality of prolonged incarceration.
“Education provides inmates with an opportunity for a better life after their release from prison and gives them a chance at rehabilitation and reintegration into society,” said Amitabh Gupta, additional DGP (prisons and correctional services).
There are 60 prisons in Maharashtra. Remission of sentence can be availed of by convicts according to conditions mentioned in the Maharashtra Prisons (Remission System) Rules, 1962. A circular issued in October 2019 by the prisons department says convicts completing Class X/XII, graduation, postgraduation, masters in philosophy, or PhD while in prison are eligible for a 90-day special remission for each course. The circular says the special inspector general of police or the deputy inspector general of police can grant a 60-day special remission to convicts for completing certificate courses while in prison.
According to data from the prisons department, 61 inmates from Nagpur Central Jail received remission between 2019 and June 2023 — the highest number among all prisons in the state. Among the latest lot of postgraduates at the Nagpur jail is a woman who, along with her husband, was convicted for murder. The husband has been released. Earning the degree will reduce the duration of her sentence by three months.
At the study centres, inmates can enroll for courses conducted by the Indira Gandhi National Open University or the Yashwantrao Chavan Maharashtra Open University, and are provided with the course material. There’s a prison-appointed teacher to solve queries and guide students. Exams are administered within the prison. “If any of the inmates are well-qualified and hold professional degrees, we encourage them to help students with the course material,” a teacher told TOI. Between 2014 and 2022, more than 2,200 inmates completed various courses while behind bars. The study centre at Thane Central Jail has produced the highest number of successes (516 inmates) in this period.
A majority of inmates opt for BA and MA in sociology, political science, Hindi or Marathi. At Nagpur Central Jail, inmates have also been opting for six-month certificate courses in subjects like food & nutrition, nursing assistant, and nutrition & childcare. “In the past, an inmates here completed an MBA,” said Deepa Aage, deputy superintendent at the jail.
An inmate from Kolhapur Central Jail, sentenced to life in a murder case, was released last year after receiving a 90-day special remission for education, besides ordinary remission. He had done an MA from Shivaji University, Kolhapur, while in prison.