As many as 363 inmates lodged in Central Prisons across the State appeared in the SSLC examinations that commenced on Wednesday. 

According to Additional Director-General of Police, Department of Prisons and Correctional Services, K. Shankar, elaborate arrangements were made in the prisons in coordination with the School Education Department.

He said 274 prisoners would be appearing for the Higher Secondary Examination this year. 

Imparting education was one of the foremost measures among the various reformation and rehabilitation programmes carried out by the department. Many educational programmes were introduced in prisons considering that a significant number of inmates came from disadvantaged educational backgrounds.

Mr. Shankar said various academic and vocational programmes were being offered to prisoners with the objective of equipping them with knowledge and skills for gainful employment after their release. 

During the previous academic year 2024–2025, prisoners from various Central Prisons and Special Prisons for Women appeared for the State Public Examinations and achieved encouraging results. 

In the SSLC Examination, 236 prisoners appeared for the examination, out of which 229 passed, registering a pass percentage of 97.03%. In the Higher Secondary Examination, 130 prisoners appeared and 120 prisoners passed, recording a pass percentage of 92.31%.

In addition to school education, prisoners were also encouraged to pursue higher education through distance learning institutions. At present, 168 prisoners were pursuing Undergraduate and Postgraduate degree programmes, he said.