254 Inmates Across Eight UP Jails to Appear in Board Examinations
In a significant development underscoring prison reform efforts, a total of 254 inmates lodged across eight district jails in Uttar Pradesh are set to appear in the upcoming UP Board examinations. According to official data released by prison authorities, 96 inmates will take the high school (class 10) examination, while 158 will appear for the intermediate (class 12) examination.
District-wise Breakdown of Examinee Numbers
The participation varies across different jails, with Ghaziabad district jail recording the highest number of candidates. Detailed figures are as follows:
- Ghaziabad Jail: 20 inmates for high school and 43 for intermediate.
- Bareilly Jail: 23 high school and 29 intermediate candidates.
- Lucknow Jail: 21 high school and 18 intermediate examinees.
- Varanasi Jail: 12 high school and 11 intermediate candidates.
- Gorakhpur Jail: 2 high school and 19 intermediate participants.
- Banda Jail: 3 intermediate candidates.
- Firozabad Jail: 10 high school and 18 intermediate inmates.
Transformation Toward a Reform-Oriented Correctional System
Prison officials have highlighted that this rising number of examinees signals a broader transformation underway in Uttar Pradesh's correctional system. The state is shifting from a punitive model to a reform-oriented approach focused on rehabilitation and reintegration into society.
"Over the past few years, jails in the state have strengthened literacy drives, opened study centres inside barracks, arranged subject-wise coaching, and provided textbooks and writing materials free of cost. Inmates are encouraged to complete unfinished schooling and even pursue higher education through open universities," said PN Pandey, DIG prisons HQ.
Infrastructure and Support Initiatives
To facilitate this educational push, dedicated classrooms have been created in several jails. Educated inmates often assist fellow prisoners in peer-learning initiatives, fostering a collaborative learning environment. Authorities note that regular counselling sessions and motivational workshops have helped change mindsets, with many inmates now viewing education as a pathway to dignity and a second chance.
Senior prison officials emphasized that education plays a crucial role in reducing repeat offences by improving employability and self-confidence. "When inmates acquire academic qualifications, they return to society better equipped to find lawful employment and rebuild family ties," another officer stated.
Complementing Vocational Training for Holistic Rehabilitation
This educational initiative complements ongoing vocational training programmes in various district jails, which include skills in carpentry, tailoring, handicrafts, food processing, and other trades. Together, education and skill development are forming the backbone of a structured rehabilitation model aimed at reducing recidivism and promoting successful reintegration.
Previous Year's Performance Highlights Success
In 2025, a total of 182 jail inmates lodged in different prisons across the state cleared the UP Board exams. Out of 199 inmates who wrote the exams (94 for class 10 and 105 for class 12), 91 inmates from both classes cleared their respective exams. The overall pass percentage for class 10 among jail inmates was an impressive 96.81%, while for class 12 it stood at 86.67%, demonstrating the effectiveness of these educational programs within the correctional system.
