The Vadodara Central Jail has been facilitating board exams for inmates to help them reintegrate into society after completing their sentences. The low turnout this year has raised concerns about the effectiveness of educational programs within the prison system. Nationally, as of 2019, less than 22 per cent of inmates benefited from educational programs, and under 12 per cent received vocational training. In May 2024, nine prisoners serving life sentences at Surat’s Lajpore Central Jail cleared the Gujarat Secondary and Higher Secondary Education Board (GSEB) Class 12 examinations, achieving a 100 per cent pass rate. In 2016, approximately 134 inmates appeared for Class 10 and Class 12 board exams across the state. This number increased to 155 in 2017 and further to 183 in 2018, with 155 inmates taking the Class 10 exam and 28 appearing for the Class 12 exam. For confidential support on suicide matters call the Samaritans on 08457 90 90 90 or visit a local Samaritans branch, see www.samaritans.org for details. In the U.S. call the National Suicide Prevention Line on 1-800-273-8255.
