Bengaluru Central Prison Implements Strict Fruit Ban to Prevent Illicit Alcohol Production
In a significant security move, the Bengaluru Central Prison located at Parappana Agrahara in south Bengaluru has officially prohibited citrus fruits including oranges and grapes. The decision, announced on Saturday by Alok Kumar, Director General of Police (Prisons and Correctional Services), stems from concerns that inmates could potentially ferment these fruits to create illicit alcohol within the jail premises.
New Approved Fruit List and Additional Restrictions
Under the revised guidelines, only a select group of fruits will now be permitted for inmates. The approved list includes:
- Bananas
- Apples
- Mangoes
- Guavas
- Chikoos
Alongside these fruits, limited quantities of dry fruits will also be allowed. This fruit ban is part of a comprehensive security clampdown by the prisons and correctional services department aimed at preventing misuse of items brought from outside.
The department has implemented several additional restrictions:
- Inmates will no longer be permitted to receive extra clothing or bedding from outside
- While undertrial prisoners may keep two sets of plain clothes, convicted prisoners will be provided with clothing and bedding exclusively by prison authorities
- The existing ban on outside-cooked food has been reinforced and strengthened
Security Concerns Behind the Restrictions
These measures follow repeated instances of prohibited items being smuggled into the jail through food consignments. According to Kumar, banned items such as mobile phones, SIM cards, and drugs have frequently been concealed within cooked food and fruits brought into the facility.
"It is humanly impossible to frisk everyone bringing food into an already overcrowded prison," Kumar explained to media outlets. "We treat all inmates equally. Prison food quality is good and certified by the Food Safety and Standards Authority of India, and we are open to grievances related to food, clothing and bedding."
The restrictions specifically apply to Bengaluru's largest prison facility, which currently houses approximately 4,800 inmates. This population includes more than 3,400 undertrial prisoners awaiting court proceedings.
Scientific Basis for Fruit Ban
Retired prison officials have provided insight into the specific reasoning behind targeting grapes and citrus fruits. Grapes contain high natural sugar content and naturally occurring yeast on their skins, making them particularly suitable for fermentation processes.
"Even small quantities can be fermented discreetly," explained one former official. "Citrus fruits also aid fermentation, and their thick peels can be hollowed out to conceal drugs, metal objects, SIM cards or notes."
Specific Allowances and Exceptions
Despite the stringent new rules, some allowances remain in place:
- Inmates can bring up to 2 kilograms of approved fruits during visiting hours
- They may also bring 0.5 kilograms of dry fruits
- Additionally, 0.5 kilograms of bakery items including biscuits, cookies, namkeens, and chips will be permitted
Kumar clarified that exceptions would be considered in cases where inmates produce court orders or medical prescriptions specifically requiring home-cooked food. The prison has also discontinued inmate self-cooking arrangements, with stoves and cooking utensils being seized as part of the security enhancement measures.
This comprehensive security overhaul represents the prison administration's proactive approach to addressing longstanding concerns about contraband smuggling while maintaining essential provisions for inmate welfare within the correctional facility.
