Non-veg food, accommodation and Rs 620 daily wage, but...

THIRUVANANTHAPURAM: The daily wages of prisoners in Kerala jails have been increased. The increase is up to ten times. The wages of those engaged in skilled jobs like wood carving, sewing and weaving have been increased to Rs 620. Earlier it was Rs 152. The revised wages are Rs 560 for semi-skilled jobs and Rs 530 for unskilled jobs. Earlier, the wages for those doing unskilled work were Rs 63. The wages have been increased from Rs 127 to Rs 560.

Convicted prisoners in jails get wages for their work. Prisoners in four central jails will get the benefit. The wages of more than 3,000 prisoners will increase through the reform. The last increase in the wages of prisoners was in 2018. This is the first time that such an amount has been increased.

The aim of introducing wages for prisoners to work in prisons is to make them self-sufficient and bring them into the mainstream of society. The wage increase is based on the finding that the wages of prisoners in Kerala are low compared to states like Tamil Nadu and Delhi.