Prisoners turn computer-savvy

Kannur, Nov 15 (UNI) After creating history by making Malappuram as the country's first e-literate district, Kerala is all set to establish yet another milestone by imparting computer training to prison inmates, including hard-core criminals.

As many as 178 prisoners, including 20 women of the Kannur Central jail have become computer literate after undergoing training in the first phase as per the ambitious 'Akshaya' programme of the Kerala IT mission with the support from local bodies and self-help groups, Jail Welfare Officer V P Sunil Kumar told UNI.

He said out of them, about 100 inmates, were those undergoing life terms for various crimes.

Steps were also taken to ensure better follow-up facilities for those who acquired the knowledge, he informed.

Stating that prisoners had envinced keen interest to learn computers, he said every person, who was interested in the project would have to contribute Rs 40 as their contribution and rest of the fund was being collected from district/local bodies as donation.

Regarding the programme schedule, he said the inmates, who have passed seventh standard were shortlisted after eliciting their willingness to undergo training.

Later, they were imparted training for one and-a-half-hours a day for ten days. Three instructors from the IT mission were incharge of the classes in three separate shifts using three computers. Of the three computers, one was donated by the Chemmannur Fashion Jewellers, Tellicherry, and the other by the Kannur district Panchayat, he added.

In the second phase, the jail would target the entire 1,400 inmates, including lifers as well as hardened criminals.

The cost of the second phase of the programme would be partly met by the North Malabar Chamber of Commerce, he said adding that an understanding between the jail authorites and the Chamber had already been arrived at on the behest of District Collector.

Many other organisations have also offered support for the scheme, he added.

The government was planning to extend the programme to other district jails in the state, he said. The Kozhikode District jail had already initiated steps to start the programme.

An announcement to this affect had been made by Kerala Chief Minister V S Achuthanandan in the recently-concluded session of the State Assembly.

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