Bihar tops nation in prison education and skill development drive

Bihar has taken a major initiative in changing prisons into centers of rehabilitation and skill development. In 2025 the state was judged the best in the country for the provision of educational and vocational opportunities to inmates.

The home department data revealed that 1, 256 prisoners had registered for Class X and 183 for Class XII through the National Institute of Open Schooling (NIOS). Besides, 1, 565 inmates were connected to different programmes operated by IGNOU.

It is seen from the data that in 2025, 1, 354 newly incarcerated individuals through IGNOU got engaged in higher education, the state's reformative strategy being one of the factors. 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.