The high-security Banda Jail, once notorious for housing notorious gangsters, is now a beacon of reform. Here, education is the weapon of choice against the shadows of crime. Breaking the chains of their past, inmates are being introduced to the transformative power of education. This was the very jail that housed notorious mafia don Mukhtar Ansari.
The administration’s vision is to reshape the minds of those within its walls through education, alleviating mental stress and fostering change. The jail has launched a unique schooling initiative, introducing a life of learning to both adults and young inmates, including women and children.
Inmates have been officially enrolled in a school system. Come March, they will undertake examinations for fifth and eighth grades, rigorously coached by two dedicated teachers from the Basic Education Department. The inmates have also added color to the jail premises with exquisite paintings, including portraits of notable figures.
Currently, 51 inmates are part of this educational program. Forty-three of them, including five women, are enrolled in Grade 5, while eight are preparing for Grade 8. The responsibility of their education lies on two teachers - a male and a female. The female teacher caters to the women, while the male teacher instructs the men.
Source: aajtak
The administration is keen on dedicating the inmates' time solely to education. Provided with books and notebooks by the education department, inmates are also receiving computer lab training. Given the security concerns, these inmates, charged with serious crimes like murder, kidnapping, and rape, attend sessions within the jail premises in specially set-up classrooms. The ultimate goal is to instill a positive mindset and facilitate both mental and social development among the inmates.
Vikram Singh, one of the dedicated teachers, describes his mission: transforming illiterate inmates into literate citizens. “Understanding their emotions is my first task; engaging them in question-answers fosters a communicative learning environment. Most of them are teenagers, absorbing knowledge quickly and showing keen interest with noticeable progress,” he shares.
On the administrative front, Jail Superintendent Anil Kumar Gautam affirmed, “Through regular classes, our objective is to reintegrate inmates into the mainstream society. This wasn’t possible before, but thanks to our District Magistrate's support, education is now a pivotal part of our reform strategy. Our aim is to rehabilitate these inmates, so they can return home and to society as transformed individuals contributing positively to their communities.”
