The Coimbatore Central Prison has launched an innovative initiative called ‘Freedom Chickens,’ which involves selling broiler chicken at subsidized rates through a stall located near the prison. This initiative, which began a week ago, has already generated over ₹800,000 in revenue, according to Prison Superintendent M. Senthil Kumar.
The stall, situated next to the Freedom Filling Station on Dr. Nanjappa Road near the Kattoor police station, offers chicken at reduced prices. As of Wednesday, the rates were ₹130 per kg for live birds and ₹200 per kg for meat. The stall is managed by a prisoner under the supervision of a prison staff member.
The poultry farm within the central prison was established on the instructions of Maheshwar Dayal, the Director General of Police, Prisons, and Correctional Services. The farm raises broiler chickens in five batches, each containing over 1,000 birds. This initiative not only provides a source of income but also helps in meeting the dietary needs of the inmates.
Chicken dishes are now served to prisoners on Wednesdays and Sundays, with approximately 350 kg of chicken required each day. This chicken is sourced directly from the prison’s own poultry farm. Additionally, some prisoners, including those with HIV/AIDS, receive chicken dishes three times a week.
As of Wednesday, the Coimbatore Central Prison housed 2,249 prisoners, including 926 convicts. Beyond meeting its own needs, the prison also supplies chicken to 16 sub-jails in the region, including those in Gobichettipalayam, Sathyamangalam, and Erode.
This initiative not only supports the prison’s self-sufficiency but also provides prisoners with valuable skills and employment opportunities, contributing to their rehabilitation and reintegration into society.
