Kochi’s Kerala High Court has affirmed the state government’s bold move to boost wages for prison inmates, rejecting a PIL that decried the change as excessive. Delivered by Justices Soumen Sen and V.M. Shyam Kumar, the order preserves the January 9 directive elevating daily jail labor pay from Rs 63-168 to Rs 530-620—a jump that could see monthly earnings hit Rs 15,000-18,600.
Advocate A.K. Gopi, the petitioner, slammed the increase as a drastic overreach, potentially outpacing free workers’ incomes while prisoners enjoy state-funded essentials like meals, shelter, attire, and healthcare. Citing the 1998 Supreme Court ruling in State of Gujarat vs. High Court of Gujarat, he argued prison work incentivizes reform, not equates to market wages, guarding against inmates gaining an unfair edge.
The plea juxtaposed this with official minimum wages—Rs 15,000 unskilled, Rs 15,720 semi-skilled, Rs 18,000 skilled—sans perks, and pointed out lower stipends for local elected officials. Yet, the court brushed aside these points, ruling that prisoner wage updates don’t hinge on other sectors’ stagnation. Affected parties elsewhere should seek remedies formally.
Emphasizing rehabilitation, the judges noted wages tie directly to productive work, fostering skills for societal reentry. This verdict underscores a progressive stance on inmate welfare, balancing reform with fiscal prudence amid ongoing debates on prison economics and rights.
