A second innings for IGNOU students at Tihar Jail
22 April, 2011
Twenty-nine-year-old Siddharth knew that his hopes of earning a livelihood and leading a dignified life again could never transform into reality when he was sent to jail three years ago on charges of kidnapping and murder. What he didn’t know was that these hopes had already started taking shape the moment he enrolled in Indira Gandhi National Open University’s (IGNOUs) Master’s Programme in Public Administration at the University’s Study Centre in Tihar Central Jail. Thanks to IGNOU’s ‘free education for prisoners’ initiative, Siddharth holds an appointment letter from a leading company today.
“When I landed in jail, I was in trauma and depression and everything was ruined for me. But now, due to this campus interview there is a ray of hope that whenever I get out I can earn my livelihood easily,” says an ecstatic Siddharth, who will be working as a Marketing Executive with Agrawal Movers and Packers once he is released within six months.
The story is the same for several other inmates who got a new lease of life through the first-ever placement drive for prison inmates in the country, held at Tihar Central Jail No. 3. Under the dynamic leadership of Tihar Jail Superintendent Manoj Dwivedi and guidance from Director, IGNOU RC Delhi-3, Dwarka and Campus Placement Cell (CPC), seven companies created history and came to look for potential managers and executives at Asia’s largest prison. These included Vedanta Enterprises, Agarwal Movers and Packers, JRA Associates and Chartered Accountants, Good Housekeeping, Creative Innovation, Predo Security Services Pvt. Ltd., and ASP Sealing Products Ltd.
The companies conducted interviews for 46 Learners pursuing Certificate, Diploma, Under-graduate and Post-graduate programmes from IGNOU. Out of these 46, 40 were given appointment letters for jobs ranging from Accountants to Computer Operators, Store Managers, Marketing and Pharmaceutical Sales Representatives.
“Forty-six inmates were chosen by prison authorities for the placement drive as they fulfilled three criteria. Firstly, they had impeccable conduct inside the jail where they utilised their time to gain education and vocational skills. Secondly, they all expect to be released within a year or so, and finally, they were keen to rehabilitate themselves and lead a new life,” said Neeraj Kumar, DG (Prisons), Tihar Jail.
Most of the inmates who sat for placement have completed their education and gained multiple graduation degrees in jail, thanks to IGNOU. “After I was sent to jail, it was a painful and stressful time for me as I had no clue what to do next. However, I was motivated inside the jail by officials, NGOs and IGNOU. I studied day and night. Now, I am about to complete my Bachelor’s in Tourism Studies from IGNOU and also planning to pursue LLB,” says 26-year-old Dilip Kumar, who was booked under Narcotics Act in 2005. He was one of the 46 inmates who were up for placement.
The idea for such a placement session, Kumar said, stemmed from the need to help inmates in their rehabilitation following their release. “For the first time we are vouching to the corporate houses for the integrity and good conduct of these people. Many of the inmates received multiple offers. We have left the decision on selecting an offer on the candidates,” Kumar said.
IGNOU announced its ‘Free Education for Prisoners’ initiative in the 2010 academic session and waived off fees for all jail inmates across the country who wish to pursue the University’s programmes.
According to Dr. Neeta Kapai, Deputy Director, Campus Placement Cell, “This move has been a significant milestone in encouraging and rehabilitating prisoners in order to improve their quality of life post release. Regular academic counselling sessions are provided either by the RC staff in some jails or nearby Study Centre counsellors are deputed to volunteer counselling sessions in some courses.”
Study material and library facilities are provided through IGNOU to all jails under the supervision of an IGNOU Coordinator and supporting staff. Assignments and exams are attempted by all students within the jail premises. IGNOU is also making efforts to provide study material in vernacular languages for some inmates.
“This placement drive has spread a vital message of giving dignity and respect to all prisoners. It will prevent these inmates from returning to the life of crime and abuse, since the academic empowerment attained while in jail will give them a new lease of life. The activity has not only given a tremendous boost to their morale, but encouraged other inmates to follow suit,” says Dr Kapai.
Listen to Sandeep Bhatnagar, another under trial in Tihar, who was also picked up by one of the companies. “This is not just an appointment letter. It is an assurance of a rehabilitated life in a society, which would have otherwise shunned me. I can now hope for a speedy acquittal by sending this letter to the court to convince them to acquit me soon. I can assure my wife and children of a decent life in Delhi.” For people like Sandeep, who were wondering how they would support their families once they were released, IGNOU has given them a hope of taking a fresh shot at life.
