Nagpur: In a quiet corner of Nagpur’s Central Jail, where barbed wires and concrete walls dominate the view, a different kind of transformation is taking place — not of stone and steel, but of soil and soul. Over the last three years, inmates here have turned 6.6 hectares of prison land into a thriving farm, cultivating vegetables, fruits, and grains worth ₹79.10 lakh as part of a larger rehabilitation initiative by the Maharashtra Prison Department.

What began as a modest effort has now placed Nagpur among the top three prison farms in the state, following the likes of Paithan Open Prison (₹3.34 crore) and Nashik Central Jail (₹1.13 crore). But the story isn’t just about numbers — it’s about a system that believes in reform through responsibility.

“This program is more than just cultivation. It’s about giving inmates purpose, discipline, and dignity,” said Vaibhav Aage, Deputy Inspector General (DIG) of Prisons and Superintendent of Nagpur Central Jail. “In Nagpur, inmates use a tractor, four pairs of bulls, and modern techniques under the guidance of Agriculture Supervisor Jitendra Khadse. The produce goes straight to our prison kitchen and is also sold, helping inmates earn wages.”

Nagpur’s prisoners, most of whom hail from rural backgrounds, grow wheat, root vegetables, leafy greens, and fruits. Some are even engaged in fisheries — a supplementary revenue stream within the jail.

Statewide, the program spans 613 hectares of prison-owned land across 31 jails in Maharashtra. Out of this, 186 hectares are irrigated and 142 non-irrigated. Over 10,000 to 15,000 inmates have participated in farming, supported by 28 tractors and 112 bullocks.

Since the program’s intensified rollout three years ago, inmates across the state have collectively cultivated over ₹13.24 crore worth of produce, with ₹7.50 crore invested by the department — resulting in a net profit of ₹5.74 crore.

Aage credits the success to structured planning and skill-building. “We use quality seeds and fertilizers, and offer hands-on training. Even life-term convicts are allowed to work in open fields and receive sentence remissions. It’s a win-win.”

With Maharashtra leading the country in prison-based agricultural activity, the initiative stands as a model for prison reform — turning punishment into purpose and confinement into contribution.