Short-staffed Kerala Jails Struggle to Support Inmates' Education Dreams

PRISON officials in Kerala are stumped.

- P RAMDAS @Kochi

A growing number of inmates, including those convicted of grave crimes like murder, are choosing to turn their lives around by enrolling in regular or online educational courses. However, the authorities are struggling to support their efforts, owing to severe staff shortage.

"There simply aren't enough hands to manage or supervise the educational programmes effectively," said a report filed by the prisons and correctional services department in the Kerala High Court recently. It said lack of dedicated devices and secure internet access—to rule out its misuse—adds to the challenge, leaving many inmates without the basic tools required to pursue education.