Bengaluru: Bakery products prepared by convicted inmates of the Parappana Agrahara Central Prison will be served as snacks during the 77th Republic Day celebrations at the Manekshaw Parade Ground, marking a significant step in Karnataka’s prison reform and rehabilitation efforts.

The initiative has been launched by the Karnataka Prisons and Correctional Services Department under its Nav Sankalpa programme, with the objective of equipping convicted prisoners with employable skills and providing them with a pathway to dignified livelihoods after their release. Snacks prepared by inmates will be served to a wide cross-section of attendees, including the Chief Minister, cabinet ministers, senior officials and members of the public attending the Republic Day parade.

Skill development through Nav Sankalpa programme

Officials said the initiative reflects a shift towards structured, market-oriented skill development within prisons. Under the programme, 20 convicted inmates from Parappana Agrahara Central Prison underwent an intensive one-month training in bakery operations. The prison currently houses around 1,200 convicted inmates, and authorities plan to extend similar training to more prisoners in the coming months.

The inmates are now producing a range of bakery items such as biscuits of various varieties, cupcakes and savoury mixtures. These products, prepared under supervision and adhering to quality standards, will be distributed as refreshments during the Republic Day event.

Focus on rehabilitation, not punishment alone

Director General of Police of the Karnataka Prisons and Correctional Services Department, Alok Kumar, said the focus of the department has been on rehabilitation and long-term reintegration of convicted prisoners into society.

“Our aim is to make this initiative competitive and sustainable. This is not about symbolic gestures alone. We want inmates to acquire real skills that can help them earn a livelihood once they are released,” he said.

He clarified that the programme is exclusively for convicted prisoners and does not involve undertrials. According to officials, this distinction is intended to ensure continuity in training and meaningful skill development without legal complications.

CSR support and market linkages

The bakery training programme is being supported through a corporate social responsibility (CSR) partnership with HCLTech, formerly Hindustan Computers Limited, a global IT services and consulting company headquartered in Noida. Professional bakery trainers from Hyderabad were brought in to conduct the month-long training programme for inmates.

Officials said discussions are underway to ensure that the products reach a wider market beyond institutional consumption. “The department is exploring all possible venues to ensure these products reach the public,” Alok Kumar said.

Plans are in place to tie up with online grocery platforms such as BigBasket for direct sales. HCLTech has also assured support for selling the products through its My E-Haat platform, which connects grassroots producers with consumers.

Formal agreement in the pipeline

The Karnataka Prison Department is expected to sign a formal Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) with HCLTech on February 4 to strengthen collaboration and ensure continuity of the programme. Officials said the agreement would outline responsibilities related to training, branding, marketing and quality assurance.

Prison officials noted that while vocational activities have existed in Karnataka prisons earlier, they were largely limited in scale and lacked a strong market linkage. The current initiative aims to address that gap by aligning prison training programmes with real-world demand.

Expanding skill training beyond bakery

In addition to bakery training, the department plans to introduce skill development programmes in other sectors such as textiles, stitching and allied trades. Officials believe diversifying skill sets will increase employment opportunities for released inmates and reduce the likelihood of reoffending.

Experts in correctional reform say such initiatives can play a crucial role in changing public perceptions about prisons and prisoners. Structured employment opportunities after release are widely recognised as one of the most effective tools for rehabilitation.

A contrast to past controversies

Parappana Agrahara Central Prison has often made headlines in the past for controversies, including allegations of corruption, security lapses and preferential treatment to certain inmates. Earlier reports had highlighted issues such as illegal access to mobile phones and violations of prison rules.

Officials said the new skill development initiatives are part of a broader effort to reform prison administration and focus on correction rather than mere confinement. “We want prisons to become centres of reform and learning, not just punishment,” a senior official said.

Conclusion

The decision to serve bakery products made by convicted inmates at the Republic Day parade underscores Karnataka’s attempt to integrate rehabilitation into its correctional framework. By combining skill development with market access, the prison department hopes to give inmates a second chance at life while also sending a strong message about inclusive reform and social responsibility.