Mandya jail inmates created ‘rate card’ letter for special treatment in prison, reveals probe

MANDYA: Following a viral letter alleging that officials are extorting money to provide special treatment to inmates in the Mandya district jail, an internal inquiry by jail officials has revealed that it was a conspiracy hatched by the inmates themselves.

According to jail superintendent Shanta Shree, Prisons Department DGP Alok Kumar had visited Mandya jail recently. At that time, some inmates had requested that they be allowed to smoke beedis and cigarettes in jail and to provide chapati meals in the canteen. As per jail rules, DGP Alok Kumar had strictly denied supply of beedis and cigarettes. Disgruntled by this, inmates hatched a conspiracy against officials.

Even before DGP’s visit, two inmates had prepared a letter about their demands. They had obtained signatures and thumb impressions from other inmates also. Before presenting the letter, they made an oral request which the DGP firmly declined and the letter was not presented.

As soon as DGP rejected the demand, in the same letter containing signatures, false allegations of extortion and special treatment against officials were added and the letter was made viral, which has been found in investigation. Prison department officials have intensified investigation into how the letter went outside from jail and who is behind it, the jail superintendent said.