Bars to Brilliance: Surat Jail inmates polish 25,000 diamonds, earn Rs 20,000 per month

Behind the confines of Lajpore Central Jail (LCJ) in Surat, an unexpected but remarkable enterprise is taking place. As per a TOI report, inmates of the jail have embraced the art of diamond polishing, producing an impressive 25,000 pieces of small-sized natural diamonds each month.

Surat, known as the Diamond City, holds the distinction of polishing 95 per cent of the world's diamonds. Interestingly, the city's correctional facility also contributes its fair share to this illustrious industry. Within LCJ's polishing unit, 107 prisoners have found employment as diamond polishers. Their skills have been honed through training in various cutting and polishing techniques, enabling them to earn up to Rs 20,000 monthly, based on the nature of their work and job profiles.

J N Desai, the superintendent of police at LCJ, told TOI, "Ours is the only jail probably in the world where natural diamond cutting and polishing takes place inside the jail. The unit is working smoothly without any complaint."


LCJ, which houses around 3,000 inmates, has harnessed the potential of a substantial majority by offering diverse vocational activities, including diamond polishing, furniture making, snack production, painting, sculpture, and photocopying.

One inmate, Vipul Mer (33), who has been serving a life sentence for a decade, now holds a managerial role within the diamond polishing unit. Despite his circumstances, he contributes significantly and earns up to Rs 20,000 per month. Mer reflects on his journey, saying, "I was a diamond artisan before being lodged in jail. I started working here when the unit started and despite being in jail, I can support my family financially."

Of their earnings, inmates are allowed to retain only Rs 2,100 each month for personal expenses within the jail. The remaining amount is channeled to their families.

Satyam Pal (23), another inmate, shared his experience, revealing, "I have learned diamond polishing after I was lodged in the jail 11 months ago." He now earns approximately Rs 8,000 per month. Expressing his aspirations, he adds, "I hope to keep working as a polisher even when I am out of jail."