From cigarettes to mobile phones, treatments in hospitals outside the jail, and even getting transferred to a cell of the inmate's choice, this jail has everything available but for a price.

Money can buy you much

From cigarettes to mobile phones, treatments in hospitals outside the jail, and even getting transferred to a cell of the inmate's choice, this jail has everything available but for a price.

Apart from the usual luxuries, this may also include meeting a high-profile criminal or getting food from outside, or even getting a recommendation from the doctor to get admitted in a hospital outside the jail.

Inmates at the Central jail can be admitted in a hospital outside based on the recommendation of the medical officer.

Whistleblowers
The matter came to light after a team from the Lokayukta police led by a Deputy SP documented some prisoners' statements.
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The statements include those of Aparajit Basak, an accused in a murder in a five-star hotel in Highgrounds, Rafique Ahmed, fake stamp paper kingpin Abdul Kareem Lala Telagi's associate, and Ravi, a former bank manager involved in 39 or more economic offence cases and wanted by the CBI.

The three accusedu00a0 revealed the level of corruption in the Central Jail. The Lokayukta has ordered an inquiry.

Report excerpts
The inmates are divided into two main categories the 'wealthy' and the 'poor'.

The Parappana Agrahara Jail has two doors for entry and exit. Relatives/friends have to pay the jail officers who are at the gate.

Those officers usually collect about Rs 3,000 to Rs 4,000, and a minimum of Rs 24,000 per week. The officer who collects the bribe distributes this money between 15 people, including the jailer and other higher officials.

The other entrance is for the relatives of those who are accused of white collar crimes including cheating and frauds. The 'rates' here vary from Rs 5,000 to Rs 25,000. Undertrials have to pay a bribe to get a cell of their choice.u00a0

Hospital
The jail hospital is in a bad condition and officials don't allow ailing inmates to be treated there. The 'wealthy' prisoners get a recommendation from the medical officer for treatment in hospitals outside.

If the undertrials get to know that witnesses or accused from other states would be at the trial to give a statement against them, they pay money to the jail doctors and then are 'treated' as patients.

Food
There are about 4,500 to 5,000 inmates. Non-vegetarian meals are served on Fridays, and officials bring 250 to 300 kg of meat, instead of the required 500 kg, but the bill is for the latter.u00a0 The same 'policy' is applied to buy rations, vegetables, oil etc.

Earlier
It may be recalled that a woman sentry attached to the central prison was nabbed while she was trying to sneak into the men's cell a few months back.

Upon checking, the security staff found SIM cards, playing cards, liquor bottles and packs of beedis and cigarettes in her handbag. A senior Lokayukta officer said the investigations are still on.

However, Deputy Inspector General of Prisons, MC Vishwanathiah, said, "Based on similar allegations, we have changed the entire security staff and given the contract to private agencies. This is to ensure the alleged corrupt practices stop. If the Lokayukta has specific instances, let them take action."

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