Iraq says 731 inmates took part in prison education programs in 2025-2026

BAGHDAD, Iraq — Iraq's Ministry of Justice said 731 inmates took part in prison education programs during the 2025-2026 academic year, including literacy courses, accelerated learning and formal schooling. The ministry reported that 639 inmates enrolled in those programs and achieved high pass rates, while 92 continued university-level studies. Of the university students, 46 study at a center run by Al-Ayn University inside the Nasiriya Central Prison in Najaf, and another 46 study at the Baghdad Karkh facility, where they are enrolled in the College of Business Informatics at the University of Information and Communication Technology. The ministry said the results reflect the success of its policy to expand educational programs in prisons and support the rehabilitation of inmates after they complete their sentences. No further details on the curriculum or the number of graduates were immediately available.