Innovative Phone-in Radio Program for Prisoners Enrolled as Students at Indira Gandhi National Open University

Authors

SIVASWAROOP PATHANENI Dr, Indira Gandhi National Open UniversityFollow

Keywords

prisoner education, radio, phone-in, IGNOU, Nagpur

Abstract

Providing education to prisoners while in jail is a win-win situation for both prisoners and society. For prisoners, the educational experiences in jail reduce their mental strain, isolation, and stress due to incarceration and simultaneously make them employment ready after their release from prison. Education helps prisoners become fit to earn on their own, and thereby reduces the chances of returning to jail (recidivism). Therefore, through educational experiences, the government saves money on prisoners' maintenance and earns taxes from their later employment. Providing education to prisoners, especially increasing efforts to provide quality education, such as is available to common students, is needed. The ‘Nagpur Experiment’, wherein the student prisoners of Indira Gandhi National Open University (IGNOU) at Nagpur Central Jail are provided the‘Mediated Phone in Radio Counselling’ through public radio on a live radio programme is an attempt in this direction.

Author Bio

Dr. Sivaswaroop Pathaneni holds a PhD in Chemistry. He has earned 9 other diplomas and PG diplomas. He has more than 25 years 'live' experience with students in Open University. His primary goal is to reach the underserved sections of society in order to provide educational opportunities.

DOI

ttps://doi.org/10.25771/a6ma-8585

Creative Commons License

This work is licensed under a Creative Commons Attribution 4.0 International License.

References

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Kulkarni, D. (2019, January 21). Nagpur jail raises bar for studious prisoners. Career inmates: Convicts get phone-in radio counselling from experts. DNA. https://www.dnaindia.com/india/report-nagpur-jail-raises-bar-for-studious-prisoners-2710256

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