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