NHRC flags gaps in online education access for Kerala prisoners

Concerns about the lack of support for prison education in Kerala have drawn the attention of the National Human Rights Commission (NHRC), which has initiated action in response to recent media coverage.

According to a statement issued on May 2, the NHRC has taken suo motu cognizance of reports describing inadequate infrastructure and insufficient personnel in Kerala jails to facilitate online learning for inmates.

The commission noted that many prisoners, including those convicted of serious crimes, are seeking to change the course of their lives by enrolling in regular or online academic programs.

However, the state’s correctional system is reportedly struggling to accommodate these aspirations.

"Reportedly, the growing number of inmates, including those convicted of grave crimes, are choosing to turn their lives around by enrolling in regular or online educational courses, but the authorities are struggling to support their efforts," the NHRC statement said.

It added that the situation, if accurate, points to a possible violation of the human rights of prisoners who wish to pursue education while serving their sentences.

A media report dated April 25 highlighted issues such as a shortage of staff, absence of dedicated digital devices, and lack of a secure internet connection within Kerala’s prisons.

In light of these concerns, the NHRC has asked the state's director general of prisons to submit a detailed report within four weeks.

The Commission also cited concerns from the same report about potential misuse of the system.

"Another challenge is that some dangerous criminals are also now trying to apply for regular courses as a devious tactic to get the interim release to facilitate travel outside the prison," the NHRC noted.

Additionally, the absence of proper monitoring mechanisms to ensure that internet access is strictly used for educational purposes has been flagged as a critical gap in the current setup.