As part of its reform program, the jail, which claims to be the only ISO 2001 certified one in the country permits convicts to pursue an education while they are serving out their sentence. Those selected for the journalism crash course also attended a computer course because even for the fourth estate the PC is mightier than the pen.

The journalism course started on July 13. Classes were held inside the jail premises from 3 pm to 5 pm. Two lecturers were sent by the Express Media Service/ EMS Academy of Journalism, every afternoon.

Seventy chosen convicts from the jail have received certificates in journalism after completing a two month media course conducted by professionals.

Satyendra Rai, 37, who is serving a ten years and ten months' sentence for a train dacoity and the murder of a Railway Protection Force jawan says, "Journalism is a glamorous and powerful profession. Even the police and politicians are afraid of the media. We get to watch Doordarshan in jail.Once, When i was released on parole, I got to watch some of these new Hindi news channels." Rai claims he was a student pursuing a B.A. degree in Kashi Vidyapith College of Benaras when the police nabbed him. He too has  written articles on  life in the clink for a news daily.