Jailbirds in a ‘mousetrap’

Computer classes in Thane jail are a big hit with prisoners.
When Shailesh (32) is freed from Thane Central Prison, he’ll be equipped with computer knowledge. The graduate is currently facing a five-year jail term on charges of culpable homicide not amounting to murder. “When I first came to jail, I was feeling low. After joining the computer class, my mind is relaxed,� says Shailesh in impeccable English. He has already spent two-and-a-half years in jail. “I’m hoping to get the term reduced as my name is slated to be recommended for good conduct. Once I’m free, I’ll start a business and use computers.�
Shailesh is not the only beneficiary of computer classes started by Sterlite Foundation in the jail which houses 2,200 prisoners. Started five months ago, the first batch had 22 prisoners, of which nine passed. “Some more could have cleared the exam, but I wanted examiners to be strict so that prisoners don’t take up computers just for fun. They must use them for their future benefit,� says Jail Superintendent Rajendra Damne.
The classes are a first for Maharashtra. “After state home ministry approval, we met Damne and he immediately agreed,� says Debabrata Mitra, GM, Sterlite Foundation. The classes are held between 8 am and 4 pm, and the current batch has 18 students.
The prisoners wear white half pants, shirts and caps happily click away. There’s a doctor, a chartered accountant and an engineer among them.
Kalpesh (24) was in the second year BCom before landing in jail for attempt to murder. “Those were difficult days. I know what I did should not have happened. I thought my world was crashing down. After joining the computer classes, my mind is focussed. This has changed my life,� he says. After his release two years later, he plans to open a shop. “Today, everything is computer-driven and the knowledge I’ve got here will give my business a boost,� he says. His parents, who visit him at the jail, too, are “happy to see me learning something good.� Kalpesh is so serious about computers that though he was a student of the first bach, he has again joined the second batch “to polish my knowledge.�
nirmal.mishra@timesgroup.com