A recently launch publish reports of inmates in the Parappana Agrahara prison are eating so well that many are reluctant to leave. Other convicted criminals are trying to move in.

The prison houses 4,700 inmates more than twice its capacity. The reason being that criminals are refusing to apply for bail and juvenile offenders are overstating their age to qualify as adults and enter the facility.

The vegetarian food is being served by ISKCON, or Hare Krishna movement, a Hindu evangelist organisation, under contract from the prisons department.

The menu typically include piping hot rice, two vegetables and a spicy lentil dish called sambar and buttermilk. A dessert is added on festival days and national holidays like Independence Day, and weekends.

“When we are getting tasty, nutritious food three times a day here, why should we go out and commit crimes,” said prisoner Raja Reddy, who has been arrested 20 times in 30 years for theft, robbery and burglary.

“Our going out of the prison will only benefit pawnbrokers who purchase stolen items at a throwaway price from us, advocates who fleece us to fight our case and the police who collect bribes,” Reddy was quoted as saying.

If you know anything about prisons in India, it’s surprising that people are trying to get it in just to get decent food. Surprising, unless you know what it’s like to be outside.