Ballari Central Jail is producing bed sheets, garments, soap, and phenol worth lakhs of rupees every year. What was once seen only as a place of punishment has quietly evolved into a full-fledged manufacturing unit run by inmates.
The British-era jail now houses a structured factory section where prisoners are engaged in handloom weaving, tailoring, and hygiene product manufacturing. These activities are not symbolic. The products are supplied to prisons across districts and even sold to the public during major events like Mysore Dasara.
From Cells to Production Floors
The handloom unit inside Ballari Central Jail was formally started in 1974. Today, it operates with five power looms and separate sections for weaving, sewing, and soap and phenol production. Inmates work in clearly defined roles, with several undergoing skill training while others handle active production.
Clothes used by prisoners are made in-house, but the output goes far beyond internal use. Bed sheets, shirts, camisoles, knickers, sarees, towels, white towels, and kerchiefs are regularly produced, stitched, and supplied based on demand.
Why Prison Bed Sheets Are in Demand
One product stands out from the rest: bed sheets.
Unlike most market options that use blended fabric, bed sheets made inside Ballari Central Jail use pure cotton yarn. There is no polyester mix. This focus on quality has built trust among institutional buyers, with the fabric known for durability and long-term use.
The weaving unit produces the fabric, while the sewing department gives it final shape, ensuring full control over quality from start to finish.
Prisoners Earn While They Learn
Inmates working in the factory are paid on a task-based system. Prisoners in the sewing unit earn Rs. 524 per task, while those involved in soap and phenol manufacturing earn Rs. 548 per task. The model rewards productivity and discipline, helping inmates develop a routine and a sense of responsibility.
Beyond wages, the biggest return is skill development. These skills help prisoners find work after release, reducing the chances of reoffending.
From Ballari Jail to Mysore Dasara
Every year, products made inside Ballari Central Jail are sold at stalls set up during the Mysore Dasara fair. Items such as white Kaval, coloured Kaval, and kerchiefs are offered directly to consumers.
The production unit also supplies goods to other prisons based on demand. Phenol manufactured here is supplied to the Health Department, Municipal Corporations, and other government departments.
Rs 29 Lakh Worth of Production in Three Years
The scale of production is reflected in the numbers. In the last three years alone, goods worth nearly Rs. 29 lakh have been manufactured inside the jail.
- 2023–24: Rs. 10.52 lakh
- 2024–25: Rs. 8.28 lakh
- 2025–26: Rs. 10.56 lakh
These figures highlight consistent demand and the operational strength of the prison’s factory unit.
Redefining the Purpose of Prison
Ballari Central Jail is gradually shifting the narrative around incarceration. By combining discipline with skill-based work, the jail is proving that reform can be productive, structured, and economically relevant.
Behind high walls and locked gates, looms continue to run, not just producing fabric, but shaping a different future for those inside.