Delhi jail takes up computing

By Jyotsna Singh
BBC correspondent in Delhi

Prisoners at Asia's largest prison, the Tihar jail in Delhi, are being given the chance to learn about computing.

Tihar jail has up to 15,000 inmates

A computer education centre has been opened to enable the prison's inmates to develop and practice computer skills.

Debit or smart cards have also been issued to prisoners to make purchasing within the complex easier for them.

The authorities say the measures are expected to help prisoners return to the mainstream of the society once they leave the jail.

Delhi's Chief Minister Shiela Dixit also announced that three new prisons are being built to ease the pressure on Tihar jail which is overcrowded with up to 15,000 inmates.

Smart money

With a snacks shop, gym, and beauty parlour, all within the prison complex, there is a lot that the prisoners of Tihar may want to spend their money on.

10 computers have been donated to the prison

So far they were given coupons to exchange for currency notes. But the coupons will now be replaced with smart cards which will also contain personal information about the prisoners.

The latest scheme will allow prisoners to receive a little over $5 or Rs250 at a time.

The first batch of prisoners has begun taking classes which will teach them basic computer skills, in addition to providing information about legal aid.

The special programme created by the National Institute of Information Technology, (NIIT), is available in four languages - Hindi, Tamil Gujarati and English.

The prisoners will be taught to maintain canteen and welfare fund accounts.

NIIT spokesman Ajai Lal said: "As responsible corporate citizens, the challenge remains to ensure that computer education reaches different sections of the society."

NIIT has donated 10 computers to the prison

The head of the prison, Ajay Agarwal, said, "Computer has become a necessity in today's world.

"NIIT's program will provide a good opportunity to the inmates of Tihar to get initiated into the world of information technology, which would also provide them with a platform to join the societal mainstream".