Issue notice to the Director General of Prisons, Kerala, calling for a detailed report within four weeks

The National Human Rights (NHRC), India, has taken suo motu cognizance of a media report highlighting the issue of non-availability of infrastructure and manpower to provide for the prisoners to pursue education in the Kerala jails. 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 Commission has observed that the news report’s contents, if true, raise issues of violation of human rights of prisoners who intend to pursue educational programmes/ courses. Therefore, the Commission has issued a notice to the Director General of Prisons, Government of Kerala, calling for a detailed report on the matter within four weeks.

According to the media report, published on 25th April 2025, the Kerala prison authorities are facing severe staff shortage, lack of dedicated devices, and a secure internet connection for the inmates, willing to study online. Reportedly, there is no monitoring system to ensure that the prisoners will use the internet only for educational purposes. Another challenge is that some dangerous criminals are also now trying to apply for the regular course as a devious tactic to get the interim release to facilitate travel outside the prison.