In a unique initiative, Maharashtra jail inmates will be able to savour tasty foods. The prisoners will be able to pick from treats such as ice-creams, paani-puris, pickles, samosas, kachoris, chikkis, popcorn, cheese, chaat-masala, butter, tea cakes and coconut water.
They can also access personal hygiene products such as facewashes, moisturisers, hair dyes and mehndi. These are a part of 167 items added to a list of upgrades in the prison canteens. It’s a major upgrade from the present choice of foods.
They have been added after suggestions by the inmates, which was studied by a high-level committee appointed by prison authorities.
The state has 60 prisons – nine are central prisons, 31 district prisons, 19 open prisons and one is a prison for women. Currently, inmates of all these prisoners are served poha, upma and sheera for breakfast; and bhaaji, chappati, dal and rice for lunch and dinner.
Up until now, prison treats included basics such as savouries, biscuits, pickles and some chutneys in the canteen. The current list of goods available in the canteens for the inmates’ wellbeing was old.
Male inmates will also have the choice to dress comfortably in Bermudas and T-shirts. Books on art, paper and brushes will also be provided; the hour for activity can be enhanced by popcorns or Maggie from the canteen.
On specific days, the canteens will also serve mutton, healthy sprouts, eggs and paneer burjis. They have dropped several items such as mithai, as they do not come with a date of expiry. Some had suggested cakes weighing over one kilogram for birthdays, which was rejected as people should not celebrate inside jails.
Ghee and butter were also struck off the list as they are inflammable and therefore can be dangerous. Likewise, the request for balms was also struck down as they can be used as drugs by sniffing. Some prisoners suggested making soup packets available, which was deemed impractical with no ready availability of hot water.
Food upgrades: Paani-puri, oats, Lonavala chikki, cheese, samosas, kachoris, coconut water, confectionaries and packaged products from Haldiram’s.
Lifestyle upgrades: Handwash, facewash, hair dye, moisturisers, mehendi for women prisoners, Bermudas for male prisoners, and baby clothes, baby oil and baby powder for children below six years.
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