Jail-themed restaurant proposed outside Mathura jail

Agra: A jail-themed restaurant outside Mathura jail premises similar to the one run by Tihar Jail in Delhi may come up soon if the authorities give the approval for it. The restaurant will serve food prepared by prisoners.

The idea was proposed by the Uttar Pradesh Apradh Nirodhak Samiti, a semi-government organization, with an aim to provide employment to rehabilitate inmates after their term ends and to let people have a glimpse of the life inside. If approved, the restaurant will be the first such facility in UP.

Chairman of the samiti Umesh Sharma said he has sent a proposal to the effect to the director general (prison) and the additional chief secretary (home) for an approval. “People are curious about life inside a jail and many want to taste prison food due to astrological beliefs,” he said.

Once the restaurant is operational, priority will be given to hiring convicts who have served their full term. The profit will be used for rehabilitation of the prisoners and they will also get a salary while working for the restaurant, he added.

In keeping with the jail theme, the entrance of the restaurant will be designed like a prison gate and the interiors will comprise prison cells with dining tables and chairs. “Handcuffs, waiters in prisoner’s uniforms, red lights and other fixtures will be added to give an authentic look of the jail,” said Sharma.

The project, estimated to cost Rs 25 lakh, will also have a home delivery system.

Jail superintendent Brijesh Kumar confirmed that Sharma had discussed this proposal with him on October 2 and the same had been sent to the higher authorities for approval.

Sharma said Mathura is the best district to launch such a project as it attracts people from across the world due to its association with Lord Krishna, who was also born in prison. He hoped that once this project is approved, it can be introduced at other prisons as well.

Many such initiatives have been taken across jails in the country. Delhi’s Tihar has been running such a restaurant since 2014. In a Kerala jail, inexpensive food and bakery items are sold through cafeterias or distributed through mobile vans. The Burail jail in Chandigarh offers a wide range of food items which can also be ordered online.