Prisoners, jail staffs take exam together

BERHAMPUR: It was surely a special examination hall on Berhampur circle jail campus where prisoners and warders rubbed shoulders while appearing for their examination. The Indira Gandhi National Open University (IGNOU) has opened a study centre as well as an examination centre on Berhampur circle jail campus. The examinations, which would continue till June 24, commenced on June 01. On the first day of examination three prisoners serving life sentences, Gobardhan Bisoi, Dhiraj Mohan Bisoi and Jagdish Sahu appeared for the second year examination of the degree course. Along with them two warders of the same jail also sat for the same examination in the same room.
While warder examinees were dressed in their khaki uniform, the lifers were attired in their white jail uniform. Senior Superintendent of the jail Bankim Chandra Mohanty took up the role of chief invigilator. Mr Mohanty said that during this examination season of the IGNOU three inmates would appear for the Bachelors’ Preparatory Examination (BPP), one would appear for first year degree examination and three prisoners would appear for second year degree examination. One prisoner of the jail was also going to appear for Postgraduate examination on the jail premises during this period.
Through the help of social organizations, the jail inmates had been provided all possible help for their studies, said Mr Mohanty. The jail teacher Bhaskar Behera said a teachers of ‘Guide institution’ of the city provided expert help to the prisoner students.
It may be noted that this year 4 prisoners of this jail have appeared for secondary school board examination. In 2008 six prisoners had appeared for secondary school board examination in this jail. In recent past more and more prisoners are getting interested in formal education in this jail. During past two years seven inmates of the jail have passed the secondary board examination. Then they opted for higher studies.
Rabindranath Das, a lifer, had managed to pass the secondary board examination in first division. His success had its immediate impact on other prisoners of the jail. The efforts of prisoners also enthused jail staff to pursue higher studies along with prisoners through IGNOU campus in the jail.
Courtesy: The Hindu