No cooked food, limited clothes: Karnataka issues new prison regulations

The Department of Prisons and Correctional Services on Saturday issued a circular with fresh regulations, partially restricting the supply of food, clothing, and bedding to prisoners from private sources. The order cites concerns related to prison security, safety, overcrowding, and administrative feasibility for the regulation. The new set of regulations comes in the backdrop of a series of exposés of preferential treatment to prisoners inside Parappana Agrahara Central Prison, Bengaluru.

Alok Kumar, Director General of Police, Prisons and Correctional Services, has issued orders to all prisons across the State directing immediate implementation of the new rules.

While Section 30 of the Karnataka Prisons Act, 1963 permits civil and undertrial prisoners to receive food, clothing, and other necessities from private sources, the fresh circular noted that all prisoners are already being provided with all that is adequate by the Prisons and Correctional Services Department as per the existing laws and manuals. In view of security and health concerns, the receipt of such items from outside the facility has now been regulated and restricted.

Restrictions on food

Under the new rules, cooked food from private sources has been completely prohibited. It will not be allowed to be brought into prisons either at the time of admission or during interviews. However, certain uncooked and packaged food items will be permitted from private sources during admission or interviews, subject to thorough examination by prison authorities.

The allowed foods include fresh fruits such as bananas, apples, mangoes, guavas, and chickoos, limited to a total of two kilograms per person. Dry fruits, including almonds, cashews, walnuts, and raisins, are limited to half a kilogram in total. Bakery and confectionery items such as biscuits, cookies, namkeens, and chips are also limited to half a kilogram. No other food items will be allowed.

Clothing and beds

The regulations also place limits on clothing brought from outside. Prisoners will be permitted to possess only two pairs of outer clothing and two pairs of inner garments, apart from the clothes worn at the time of admission. Any excess clothing found during searches will be seized and confiscated by prison authorities.

The circular also states that since bedding is already provided by the Prison Department, no bedding will ordinarily be allowed from private sources. However, one additional blanket has been permitted on request, subject to thorough security checks and availability of space. Any prohibited or suspicious items detected will be dealt with in accordance with the law.

The circular directs all prison authorities to strictly enforce the new regulations. Violations by prisoners will warrant action under the Karnataka Prisons Act, 1963, the Karnataka Prison Rules, 1974, and the Karnataka Prisons and Correctional Services Manual, 2021. Prison staff have also been instructed to maintain proper documentation of seizures and confiscations.

The new regulations will override any earlier circulars, instructions, or orders related to the receipt of food, clothing, or bedding from private sources. Superintendents and Chief Superintendents of all central, district, open, and taluk prisons have been directed to ensure strict compliance.