Bhaderwah campus of JU empowers incarcerated individuals through education

BHADERWAH, October 13: In a pioneering effort to support education and rehabilitation within correctional facilities, the Department of Computer Science & IT at Bhaderwah Campus, University of Jammu, collaborated with the Jammu and Kashmir Prisons Department to successfully implement an e-learning program at the District Jail Bhaderwah. This program, aimed at equipping inmates with knowledge and skills, represents a significant step towards the reintegration and reform of offenders into society.

This e-learning initiative, orchestrated by the Department of Computer Science & IT at Bhaderwah Campus, directly brought the transformative power of education to inmates. It provided them with the opportunity to pursue higher education and acquire valuable skills during their time in incarceration. The University’s commitment to offering educational opportunities regardless of an individual’s background or circumstances is vividly demonstrated through this innovative program.

Dr. Jatinder Manhas, the Head of the Department of Computer Science & IT at Bhaderwah Campus, University of Jammu, expressed his enthusiasm for this groundbreaking initiative. He emphasized the potential of education to transform lives, asserting that every individual, irrespective of their past, deserves the opportunity to learn and grow. By extending educational outreach to the incarcerated population, the aim is to empower them with knowledge, skills, and a renewed sense of purpose.

The e-learning program not only addresses the educational needs of inmates but also contributes significantly to their social and emotional development. Research has shown that inmates who participate in educational programs while incarcerated are statistically less likely to reoffend. This underscores the vital role of such initiatives in breaking the cycle of crime.

Bablu Sharma, a programmer from the Department of Computer Science & IT at Bhaderwah Campus, echoed the University’s commitment to making a positive impact through education. 

The first three-month course ran from May 15 to August 15, 2023. Examinations were conducted on August 29, and today, on October 13, successful inmates received course completion certificates. The awards were presented by Dr. Jatinder Manhas, the Head of the Department of Computer Science & IT at Bhaderwah Campus, University of Jammu, in the presence of Superintendent Jail, Mr. Mushtaq Ahmed Malla, and Bablu Sharma, the Programmer from the Department of Computer Science & IT at Bhaderwah Campus, University of Jammu.