Once started, the Bangalore Central Jail will go down in the annals of prisons as the first prison in the country to introduce computer course for prisoners.

Vice Chancellor of IGNOU A W Khan, who recently visited the jail in the city seems to be satisfied with the infrastructure available inside the jail for starting a computer course.

Jail superintendent B S Abbai told The Indian Express that the prison authorities had approached IGNOU six months ago to explore various ways to provide avenues for reforming prisoners and computer course was one such areas identified.

He said a computer institute with the help of donations from philanthropists in city would be set up. ``Several donors have assured to provide computers and peripherals to the institute. Initially, the institute willbe run by public donations,'' Abbai said. He also sought help from the state government for the project.

The course will be offered to prisoners who have passed PUC. Already 12 undertrials and 12 convicts have been selected for the one year computer course. And after successful completion of the course, the prisoner will be awarded with a certificate equivalent to a diploma.

If an undertrial was released (for various reasons) in between the course, he would be allowed to attend the classes inside the jail or pursue it in any private institution.

The IGNOU will provide support services. It has identified Central Jail as the regional study centre and will design and provide the course material to the inmates and also conduct examinations. The certificate will help a prisoner in securing a job or he can still pursue higher studies,'' Srinivasan added.