What Makes Tamil Nadu’s Jailbirds Obese

A look at the jail menu of Tamil Nadu, and it is not tough to understand why inmates in the state are growing fat.

A look at the jail menu of Tamil Nadu, and it is not tough to understand why 16,500 inmates of the 136 jails and nine central prisons in the state are growing fat. Those in ‘A’ class cells are more lucky as they can relish non vegetarian dishes thrice a week. According to one study, confirmed officially by the Department of Statistics and Economics, not even a single prisoner in Tamil Nadu, freed during 2007-08, lost weight during his/her stay in jail. Most left prisons with expanded waistlines. While critics say the prisoners’ obesity is due to lack of physical exercise, the prisoners are not complaining.