From murder convicts to entrepreneurs: A bakery goods business offers second chance to Himachal prison inmates

“I commute daily, except Sundays, from the district jail in Kaithu (in Shimla) to this booth to sell our bakery products. Our average daily sales range between Rs 3,500 and Rs 4,500,” he says.

Himkaara booths

Called Himkaara booths and launched in 2017, there are now 11 such outlets located at district courts, hospitals, and jails across Himachal Pradesh. They are operated by prisoners and sell products made within jail premises. The products include cakes, biscuits, and patties – all made without eggs.

“I was arrested in 2010 and convicted in 2012. Today, I manage one of four Himkaara booths in Shimla. It is a responsibility I take seriously,” Raj Kumar says.

Every morning, he procures fresh bakery items from Kaithu jail, transports them to his booth on a motorcycle, and ensures nothing goes to waste.

A few kilometres away at the Himachal Pradesh Secretariat, Yograj, 34, runs another Himkaara booth. “This outlet doesn’t have the footfall of others, like the ones at the High Court or IGMC Hospital. But we still have regular customers, including local shopkeepers who stock our products,” he says. Yograj was convicted in a murder case in 2012.

Yograj at the Himkaara booth in Himachal Pradesh Secretariat. (Express photo)

Major boost in earnings

Both Raj Kumar and Yograj are set to be released in 2026. They earn a commission of Rs 4,500-5,500 per month, which helps them support their families during their prison term and also to plan for life post-incarceration.

The total turnover from the sale of Himkaara products in 2023-24 was around Rs 4.69 crore, and it is split between the state exchequer and inmate welfare funds. The welfare funds are used to pay inmates’ wages and also for several other requirements, ranging from prison libraries to transportation needs.

Sanjeev Ranjhan Ojha, Director General of Prisons and Correctional Services, says the initiative has vastly increased the earnings of prisoners in the state’s jails – from Rs 2.95 lakh in 2013-14 to Rs 2.19 crore in 2023-24. “Our bakery products, particularly because they are eggless, remain in high demand,” he says.

Prison inmates are selected for the initiative based on their conduct during imprisonment. They must have completed multiple paroles without violations and are typically nearing the end of their sentences. “These inmates leave jail at 9 am and return by 6 pm, with their activities monitored closely,” says a senior official.

Around 90 convicts, including two women, have been selected to run the booths and for other activities related to the business.

Beyond bakery goods

The Himkaara initiative is not limited to food. Prisoners also produce handloom textiles, wooden and metallic items, as well as organic products like vermicompost.

Himachal Pradesh houses nearly 3,000 inmates across 13 correctional facilities.

Despite its overall successes, not all Himkaara initiatives have flourished. A book café launched under the project near Shimla’s Ridge in 2017 struggled to attract customers. However, the overarching impact of the programme remains significant.

For Raj Kumar and Yograj, the Himkaara booths are a step towards rehabilitation. As Raj Kumar puts it, “This opportunity has given me hope for a better future, for myself and my family.”