Food takes up 60% of expenses on prisoners: NCRB

The riot that broke out in Mumbai’s Byculla Jail against an inmate suggests a deeper malaise in the Indian prison system. Riots rarely break out over single incidents (in this case, the death of an inmate, Manju Shette, whose autopsy revealed head injuries). They are an expression of cumulative rage at living conditions and the treatment of inmates.

Humane treatment of prisoners reflects in the expenditure state governments commit to prisons. There are two components: Expenditure on specific planned activities under the five-year Plan is termed Plan expenditure; expenditure made for meeting day-to-day expenses and running establishments like payment of salaries, wages, rent, etc,. come under non-Plan expenditure. Non-Plan expenditure could also include development of the existing infrastructure and improvements in prisons.

Figures show the biggest chunk of expenditure goes towards food. But, it also shows some state governments have been cutting back on how much they spend on prisons.  There is an unrelated figure that is puzzling. 

In 2014-15, the Mizoram government spent Rs 23.1 crore on prisons. In 2015-16, the figure went up to Rs 233 crore, an increase of 702 per cent. No details are available on exactly what this stupendous expenditure entailed. The Meghalaya government also reported an increase of 61.2 per cent. By this yardstick, these two states must have the swankiest prisons in India.

Source: National Crime Records Bureau