Pune: The Yashwantrao Chavan Maharashtra Open University (YCMOU) and the Maharashtra Prison Department have signed a memorandum of understanding (MoU) to provide educational opportunities for inmates.
This agreement will enable prisoners to complete their interrupted education by offering higher education courses within the prison premises.
The signing ceremony was attended by Dr. Sanjeev Sonawane, Vice-Chancellor of YCMOU, and Prashant Burde, Additional Director General of Police (Prisons). The initiative marks a critical step in the efforts to integrate education into the rehabilitation process for inmates.
The YCMOU has already made significant strides in this area, with 2,856 inmates—including 2,199 men and 207 women—having completed various levels of education ranging from pre-degree programs to diplomas and full degrees through the university’s outreach programs within the prisons.
The partnership emphasizes that inmates, despite their criminal past, remain integral members of society. Often, many find themselves in prison due to actions taken in moments of weakness or ignorance.
By providing access to higher education within the correctional facilities, the program aims to transform the lives of these individuals, giving them a second chance to become productive members of society.
Under the current policies of the Prison Department, inmates who successfully complete their degree programs are eligible for a remission of up to 90 days from their sentences.
This policy has already benefited 214 inmates. Furthermore, of the graduates, 16 inmates have pursued postgraduate courses and have been granted an additional 90-day remission, reflecting the department’s commitment to rewarding educational achievement among prisoners.
Dr. Jalinder Supekar, Special Inspector General of Police, and other dignitaries including Dr. V. B. Gaikwad, Advisor for YCMOU’s Pune Division, and senior prison officials from various prisons were present at the MoU signing.
The expansion of this educational initiative is already visible, with YCMOU setting up study centers in 10 prisons across Maharashtra, including Yerawada, Kolhapur, Nagpur, Amravati, Mumbai, Taloja, Thane, Aurangabad, and Nashik central prisons, as well as the Kalyan district prison.
“This educational initiative provides inmates with the tools they need to lead better lives once they are released from prison,” said Dr. Sanjeev Sonawane, Vice-Chancellor of YCMOU. “It opens up avenues for personal growth and societal reintegration, offering a pathway to a more positive future.”
The initiative is expected to expand further, potentially paving the way for broader educational opportunities and greater societal impact, reinforcing the belief that education is a powerful tool for change—even behind prison walls.