Prisoner rehabilitation sometimes leads authorities towards taking some unconventional steps in a bid to encourage good habits of the jailed prisoners. Now in a latest development, Mathura Jail recently initiated its cricket tournament, named the ‘Jail Premier League (JPL).
Notably, the initiative designed to improve the physical and mental health of prisoners. Inspired by the Indian Premier League (IPL), the event brought excitement and freedom into the otherwise confined lives of those behind the bars.
The tournament, which kicked off in April 2025, saw the participation of detainees from various barracks. Eight teams were formed and split into two groups, Group A and Group B, with each group comprising four teams. A total of 12 league matches, two semi-finals, and a grand final were held inside the jail.
Watch the viral video of Mathura’s Jail Premier League event here:
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0It is an attempt to prove oneself again: Jail superintendent
The final match took place between teams named Knight Riders and the Capitals, with the Knight Riders clinching the title. The main architect of this initiative was Jail Superintendent Anshuman Garg, who mentioned the purpose of the event.
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“The purpose of this is that in today’s walled life, some moments will give a feeling of freedom. This is not just a final match, it is a victory of hope, a race of confidence. The ground is the same, but the players have changed -today every run, every catch, every win… is an attempt to prove oneself again”, the jail superintendent said as quoted by TOI.
The cricket ground within the jail compound was enhanced with balloons. As the event progressed, guests cheered on from the sidelines, and prizes were distributed to winners and standout performers. Notably, a prisoner, Kaushal, was awarded both the Player of the Match and Player of the Series. Another named Pankaj claimed the Purple Cap for his bowling efforts, while Bhura was honoured with the Orange Cap for scoring the most runs. The Jail Premier League also concluded with a dance performance to celebrate the event.
