Compulsory Education for convicts aged 18 to 21 years at Tihar Jail

Tihar Jail Authorities have decided to make higher education compulsory for adolescent inmates in Tihar Jail.

Presently, studies are optional for the inmates; those who wish to study are provided material and enrolled in correspondence courses. However, authorities said to a national daily that, education will be made compulsory for convicts aged between 18 and 21 years.

Tihar Jails main objective is to convert its inmates into ordinary members of society by providing them with useful skills, education, and respect for the law. It aims to improve the inmate's self-esteem and strengthen their desire to improve. Higher Education can be a big step in this journey. As per the reports, around 65% inmates have not studied till Class X.

DG (Prisons) Alok Kumar Verma took this decision, saying "I want to keep inmates occupied doing something productive. The best way is to make them get a degree." Added, even if the inmates are not keen to pursue further studies, they will have to complete at least matriculate-level education.