Inmate-Run Bakery at Vizag Prison Wins Over Locals with Fresh Cream Buns

At the Central Prison in Adavivaram, reform is being served fresh from the oven. Just outside the prison gates, Sudhar Mart—a stall run by inmates—has turned into a popular stop for food lovers in Visakhapatnam. The shelves are lined with breads, biscuits, and the city’s new favorite: cream buns. Most items sell out within hours.

The bakery is part of a rehabilitation and skill-building initiative. Six inmates have been trained in baking, while others are learning farming, bookbinding, printing, and steel furniture making. “The bakery alone generates about Rs 1.2 lakh every month,” said M. Mahesh Babu, Superintendent of Visakhapatnam Central Prison. “Cream buns are the most sought-after, and customers prefer them because we use no chemicals or artificial ingredients.”

Regular customers say taste and price are the main draw. “I buy bread and cream buns here at least three times a week,” said Harish, a resident of Simhachalam. “They’re fresh, preservative-free, and cheaper than other bakeries.”

By 3 p.m., trays of warm baked goods arrive at Sudhar Mart, and supplies often vanish quickly. Some buyers even leave with 20 buns or cakes at a time.

Encouraged by the strong response, prison authorities now plan to expand. “We want to tie up with institutions to supply our bakery products,” said Mahesh Babu. “This training gives inmates a way to support themselves and their families after release.”

What began as a reform effort has grown into a quiet success story. In Adavivaram, baking is not only winning hearts but also helping inmates rebuild their lives—one cream bun at a time.