The Hindu : Tamil Nadu News : Jail inmates want to pursue Law

Online edition of India's National Newspaper
Saturday, Feb 10, 2007
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Tamil Nadu

Tamil Nadu

Jail inmates want to pursue Law

S. Vijay Kumar

A view of the Madurai Central Prison. — Photo: G. Moorthy

MADURAI: When a team of the State Human Rights Commission visited the Madurai Central prison on Friday, a section of the life convicts made an unusual request. They wanted to pursue a degree course in Law.

SHRC chairperson Justice A.S. Venkatachala Murthy directed the jail authorities to write to the Government and universities. "In principle, we are in favour of a course in Law for the convicts. Many lifers are pursuing graduate and post-graduate courses through distance education programmes."

Of the 650-odd life convicts lodged in the prison, 131 are pursuing degree courses. A few have enrolled for MBA and M.Phil.

Adult education

"We are focussing on adult education programmes since a majority of the convicts are either school dropouts or illiterates," said Deputy Inspector-General of Prisons B.M. Ezra.

Inspecting the medical facilities at the jail hospital, Mr. Justice Murthy suggested an intensive care unit (ICU), with a doctor available round-the-clock, be established on the prison premises. There should not be any delay in providing treatment.

A few prisoners sought fans. Jail officials told the team that these had already been sanctioned and would be fitted in a phased manner. The team was informed that 29-inch colour television sets had been installed in nine blocs. SHRC members Justice S. Thangaraj and K. Mariappan and Additional Director-General of Police (Prisons) V. Balachandran were present.

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