Prison labour is an important component of correctional systems aimed at rehabilitation, skill development and constructive engagement of inmates. Inmates are generally categorized based on their abilities and the nature of work they perform into skilled, semi-skilled, and unskilled workers.

Skilled  Inmates

Skilled inmates possess specialized knowledge or technical expertise, either acquired before imprisonment or through prison training programs. Further, it involves skill or competence acquired through experience on the job or through training as an apprentice or in a technical or vocational institute and the performance of which calls for initiative and judgement.

• Examples of work: Carpentry, weaving, electrical work, plumbing, computer operations, handicrafts etc.
• Role in rehabilitation: These inmates often contribute to high-quality production units and may train other prisoners.
• Wages: The inmates are being paid an incentive of Rs. 145/-

Semi-Skilled Inmates

Semi-skilled inmates have partial training or basic experience in a particular trade but may not be fully proficient. Further, it involves some degree of skill or competence acquired through experience on the job and which is capable of being performed under the supervision of guidance of a skilled employee and includes unskilled supervisory works.

• Examples of work: Assisting in workshops, food preparation, basic manufacturing etc.
• Role in rehabilitation: They develop their skills further through supervised work and structured training.
• Wages: The inmates are being paid an incentive of Rs. 115/-

Unskilled Inmates

Unskilled inmates typically have little or no prior training or experience. Further it involves simple operation requiring little or no skill or experience on the job.

• Examples of work: Cleaning, maintenance, manual labour, gardening, kitchen assistance etc.
• Role in rehabilitation: Focus is on discipline, routine building, and exposure to basic work culture.
• Wages: The inmates are being paid an incentive of Rs. 95/-

The wages paid to inmates are being revised time to time observing all the guidelines issued by the Labour Department and the good practices adopted by the neighbouring states.

However, steps are being taken for enhancement of wages of the inmates duly observing the guidelines provided by the Labour Department and the good practices adopted by the neighbouring states.