DIG of Prisons B.M. Ezra said about 18 courses would be offered to the convicts. This would benefit about 420 life convicts who are serving time for various offences.

Material worth about Rs 2,50,000 would be provided to the special study centre already functioning in the jail. The centre has a library, educational cassettes, computer, printer, audio system and TV. Ezra said G.R.D. College of Science, which has an IGNOU study centre in the district, would offer academic support to the centre.

Ezra pointed out that with the establishment of the special study centre, Coimbatore Central Prison has become the first prison in Tamil Nadu to offer such programmes. Similar programmes had been started in Tihar jail and Bangalore central prison a few years ago.

IGNOU Coordinator Dr Murugan said even if theconvicts left the prison, they could continue their course through the regular study centre of the university. The 18 courses to be offered include six-month certificate courses, one-year diploma, five-year post-graduate and MBA courses.