Kerala Prison Wage Hike Triggers Public Controversy

A recent decision by the Kerala government to increase the wages paid to prison inmates has led to a political and public controversy across the State. The move, which was meant to improve the living conditions of prisoners, has instead raised questions about criminal justice, victims’ rights and the government’s policy decisions.

On January 9, the State Home Department issued an order to sharply increase the daily wages of inmates who work inside prisons. This was the first wage revision in seven years. Prisoners usually do jobs such as cooking, cleaning, farming, tailoring and other maintenance work inside jails.

The government said the hike was necessary and humane. Officials explained that paying fair wages to inmates is part of their rehabilitation and is supported by Supreme Court guidelines. They said work and wages help prisoners learn skills, earn some money and prepare for life after their release.

However, the decision has faced strong criticism. Many people questioned the large increase and said there was no clear explanation or data to justify the new wage rates. Critics also argued that the government should focus more on victims of crimes rather than improving benefits for prisoners.

The issue quickly sparked public debate, with many expressing their opinions on social media. Some accused the government of giving priority to inmates while ignoring the concerns of law-abiding citizens.

Political parties have also weighed in, turning the issue into a heated discussion about fairness, transparency and how the State should balance rehabilitation of prisoners with justice for victims.

As the debate continues, the government has defended its decision, saying the wage revision is part of prison reforms and aimed at treating inmates with dignity while helping them reform and reintegrate into society.