Thiruvananthapuram: The government has increased the wages of prisoners in the state, accepting the recommendation of the Prison Chief. This is the first wage revision for prisoners in seven years.

The revised rates are ₹620 for skilled work, ₹560 for semi-skilled work and ₹530 for unskilled work. Earlier, daily wages in central jails ranged from a minimum of ₹63 to a maximum of ₹168, while workers in open prisons requiring specialised skills were paid ₹230.

The government order noted that the wage hike is not merely a financial decision, but an important step towards ensuring the dignity and rehabilitation of prison inmates.

In the Nettukaltheri and Cheemeni open prisons, those engaged in rubber tapping and stone-cutting will also receive Onam incentives based on annual production.