Taking a byte out of prison


The mouse is proving mightier than the sword for inmates in various Maharashtra jails.


Computer education is the prisoners' new mantra thanks to a unique rehabilitation program initiated by Pratham Infotech Foundation (PIF), a Mumbai-based NGO.


Having been successfully launched in three jails, the program started in a fourth prison, the Sawantwadi Jail, last week.


"We have seen that many of the prisoners are not habitual or hardcore criminals. Many commit big or small crimes in a fit of rage or temporary emotions, and they get jailed for prolonged periods as undertrials or convicts," said Jayendra Jadhav, program co-ordinator for PIF.


Just over a year ago, PIF discussed with the Maharashtra prison authorities ways and means to equip the prisoners with skills that could find work or enable them to become entrepreneurs.


"Many prisoners come out of jail feeling completely lost, without sympathizers or supporters, with a lifelong stigma on their reputation that prevents them from getting any gainful work. The hardcore criminals manage to rehabilitate themselves in their old trades, but the casual criminal is shunned by his family and society at large," Jadhav said.


The pilot computer education project launched for 150 inmates in Ratnagiri Jail a year ago proved immensely popular with the prisoners and the jail authorities.


PIF has since launched the project in Taloja Jail and Alibaug Jail in Raigad district. It will be taken up at Aguada Jail in Goa next month.


Emboldened by the successes, PIF has sought the state government's permission to cover 15 jails this year. "We plan to cover all the 38 big and small jails in the state within the next couple of years," Jadhav said.

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