Vadodara: For decades, prison food was the butt of jokes and a symbol of hardship behind bars, with watery dal, dry rotis and uninspiring meals seen as an unavoidable part of prison life. But at Vadodara Central Jail, mealtimes have become something inmates look forward to. So popular are the freshly cooked meals served inside the prison that only a handful of undertrial prisoners now opt for home-cooked tiffins, a stark reversal of a long-standing trend.Of the more than 600 undertrial prisoners lodged in the jail, only 35 to 40 regularly avail themselves of the facility to receive home-cooked tiffins — a sharp decline from previous years.While convicts are required to eat meals prepared inside the prison, undertrials have the option of receiving food from their families. Yet, according to jail officials, the vast majority now prefer the food cooked within the jail premises.“Every month, only 35 to 40 undertrials opt for tiffins. The rest prefer the food prepared in the jail because it is tasty and the canteen also offers considerable variety,” said Usha Raada, superintendent of police, Vadodara Central Jail.The shift reflects a conscious effort to improve both the quality and variety of meals served to inmates. Prisoners involved in kitchen duties prepare different cuisines every day, ensuring that meals are not only nutritious but also appetising.A key factor behind the transformation is the expertise available inside the prison kitchen. Several inmates assigned to cooking duties have prior experience working in restaurants, catering businesses and food establishments before their incarceration. Their professional knowledge helps maintain consistency in taste and quality while also introducing greater variety to the menu.“Earlier, a large number of undertrials preferred home-cooked food. Now, barely 5% opt for tiffins. The meals prepared here are healthy, fresh and flavourful, which is why most inmates choose to eat food cooked in the jail,” said S P Chaudhary, deputy superintendent of police, Vadodara Central Jail.The menu extends far beyond the traditional staples often associated with prison food. Inmates begin their day with breakfasts such as poha, upma and salads. Lunch and dinner feature a variety of dishes, while a sweet dish is served once every week. On special occasions, prisoners can even order their favourite snacks and meals from the jail canteen.The quality of the food has become a matter of pride for the institution. Jail officials themselves occasionally share meals prepared by inmates, underscoring their confidence in the kitchen’s standards.Beyond feeding prisoners, the jail has also turned food preparation into a unique public-facing initiative. Its popular ‘Bhajiya House’ sells bhajiyas prepared by inmates to members of the public. The inmates earn from this work, with a portion of their wages sent to their families back home.
