Patna, Jan. 5: Bihar jail inmates, for once, have given reasons to the state to be proud of them.

Bihar has clinched the topmost position in income generation through sales of products manufactured in the state prisons. Inmates lodged in eight prisons, including six central jails, have contributed to this feat earned by the state government.

According to the latest data released by the Bureau of Police Research and Development, New Delhi, in Prisons Statistics of India in July 2011 for 2008-09 (a copy of it was sent to the state prisons department in November 2011), Bihar jail inmates earned the highest income in the country.

Maharashtra was on the second position, while New Delhi was placed third.

Bihar prisoners earned Rs 10.76 crore, followed by Maharashtra Rs 10.40 crore and Delhi Rs 10.39 crore during 2008-09. The earnings of the jail inmates of the state went up to Rs 10.87 crore in 2009-10 and Rs 11.20 crore in 2010-11.

Inspector-general (prisons) Anand Kishore said the earning by jail inmates is expected to cross Rs 12 crore during 2011-12. Till November 2011, the inmates had earned of Rs 9.2357 crore.

“The earning of the inmates of jails has increased manifold in recent years, which is a good sign,” he said.

The income earned by convicted prisoners is deposited in their bank accounts.

“The maximum income was earned by Buxar Central Jail — Rs 7.9474 crore — during 2010-11. For the first time, the products manufactured by Bihar inmates were sold at the International Trade Fair organised at Pragati Maidan in New Delhi in November 2011,” Kishore revealed.