Jitendra Kumar Rahi, is a teacher at the prison. *“I talked to concerned authorities and told them that prisoners are interested in learning the English language”*, he says. *“This place is well equipped with all kinds of facilities and so it gives them an opportunity to learn.”*
One of the inmates, Rajiv, is in his early twenties. He listens carefully and takes down notes as his teacher explains the different tenses in English. Rajiv hopes that a better knowledge of the English language will be useful when he leaves the jail after serving his term.
*“I am learning English so that I can get the chance to start a new innings of my life and thus I can get a new job,”* he says.
The state jail authorities too believe that such programs will boost morale and confidence levels of prisoners. A.N. Sinha, the director of Beur Jail, says: *“Some minors are also here. It is a good opportunity for them to improve. After this education they will feel that they have learn something in prison.”*
