World · India Bureau
Prison bakery finds footfall at Mysuru Dasara exhibition stall
Inmates at a Mysuru correctional facility showcased their culinary skills at the city's Dasara festival, drawing crowds to their bakery products stall. The initiative demonstrated how vocational training programmes in prisons can engage visitors while supporting rehabilitation efforts.
LSN India ·

Prisoners incarcerated at a Mysuru jail set up a stall during the Dasara exhibition, offering baked goods prepared within the prison facility. The venture attracted considerable interest from festival visitors, who sampled and purchased items ranging from breads to pastries and confectionery products.
The stall served as a public-facing demonstration of vocational training programmes operational within the correctional system. Prison authorities have long emphasised skill-based activities as part of rehabilitation initiatives, allowing inmates to learn trades that may support their reintegration into society following release.
Bakery operations within Indian prisons have proven effective in generating institutional revenue while providing inmates with practical experience. Such programmes also reduce idle time and foster a sense of purpose and responsibility among the incarcerated population.
The Mysuru Dasara exhibition, one of south India's major cultural events, regularly features exhibitions and stalls showcasing various products and services. The inclusion of prison-produced goods this year added a distinctive element to the festivities, highlighting community-oriented initiatives within the state's criminal justice framework.