The Maharashtra prison department has renewed its memorandum of understanding (MoU) with Yashwantrao Chavan Open University to advance educational opportunities for inmates as part of ongoing reform efforts, an official announced on Thursday.

The original MoU, established in 2017, has led to 2,199 male and 207 female inmates earning degrees from the open university. The renewal, commemorated on Teachers’ Day, is designed to help inmates complete their education and reduce the likelihood of reoffending after their release. Inmates who successfully complete their degree programs are eligible for a 90-day remission of their sentences.

To date, 214 convicts have benefited from this remission provision by completing their degrees, and 16 additional inmates received another 90-day remission for achieving postgraduate degrees. The program offers a range of educational options, including BA, B.Com, MA, M.Com, and certificate courses in Human Rights, Health Friend, Yoga, and Gandhi Thoughts. Vocational training is also available in fields such as beauty parlour management, water management, digital photography, and video production.

This initiative reflects a broader commitment to inmate rehabilitation, providing valuable skills and qualifications that can aid in their reintegration into society. The ongoing partnership with Yashwantrao Chavan Open University is a crucial element of the state’s efforts to foster positive change and personal development among incarcerated individuals.

Source: PTI

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