CUTTACK: Inspired by the successful completion of the matriculation examination in two jails of the State in March, Indira Gandhi National Open University (IGNOU), for the first time, has set up an examination centre for the inmates of Choudwar jail.

At least three prisoners of the circle jail will appear for the term-end examination beginning Friday. The examination will continue till June 27, according to State regional director S.S. Jena.

"The university has set up 574 examination centres, including at 25 foreign locations and 13 centres in different jails across the country. For students of the Bhubaneswar zone, the university has set up as many as 26 centres, including the one at the circle jail," he said.

Perfect ambience

Jail senior superintendent B.C. Mohanty informed that all arrangements for the examination were made.

"Allowing the inmates to study and appear for public examinations is part of the jail reforms programme. We will ensure that a perfect examination ambience is available inside the jail premises as was done during the matriculation examination."

Growing numbers

Currently, more than 20 inmates across the State enrolled themselves with IGNOU for degree courses in different subjects. They were receiving study material and faculty members had been taking classes in jails once in a week, Mr. Jena added. Even two under trial prisoners in Dhenkanal jail appeared for the engineering examination under BPUT last year.

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