Bihar tops nation in prison education and skill development drive

Patna: Bihar has made major strides in transforming its prisons into centres of rehabilitation and skill development. In 2025, the state secured the top position in the country for providing educational and vocational opportunities to inmates.

According to data shared by the home department, 1,256 prisoners enrolled in Class X and 183 in Class XII through the National Institute of Open Schooling (NIOS). In addition, 1,565 inmates were linked to various programmes offered by IGNOU.


According to the data, in 2025, 1,354 new inmates took steps towards higher education through IGNOU, reflecting the success of the state's reformative model. Special emphasis was placed on “job-oriented training” to bring prisoners back into mainstream society. Altogether, 3,902 inmates were provided skill training in different trades in the year 2025-26, while 1,443 inmates became technically capable by receiving computer education.

The objective of these initiatives is to ensure that former inmates are able to secure dignified employment after their release and do not return to criminal activities.

In a move to improve the mental and physical well-being of prisoners and reduce stress within jail premises, a five-year agreement was signed with Art of Living across all 59 jails in the state. Also, 69 general physicians and nine specialists were appointed on a contractual basis, while nine clerks were appointed on compassionate grounds during the same period.

Demonstrating sensitivity towards victims of crime, assistance of more than Rs 3 crore is being provided to their families through the Crime Victim Welfare Trust.

Releasing the data in the Bihar assembly during the budget session on Feb 20, home minister Samrat Choudhary said, “Besides the reform process for the jail inmates is underway, the Bihar govt has also adopted a strict stance to rein in notorious criminals. High-security jails would be built on desolate hills for hard-core criminals. There will be no mobile network in these jails.”

He said there would be only one entry-exit route, where security forces would maintain strict surveillance to completely curb the operation of criminal networks from inside prisons. “An open jail will also be established at Shaheed Jubba Sahni Central Jail in Bhagalpur,” he added.