The jail bell was rung at 5 a.m. (except Sunday), when every convict rose, rolled up his blanket with the number visible, and placed his "chadar" or sheet in his box, which was also numbered to correspond. He was marched out to the prison yard with the men of his ward, and the roll was called by the responsible officer. Time for light food was allowed, and the convicts were then detailed to the work gangs as arranged overnight. The work gangs left the prison punctually at 6 a.m., and returned at 11 a.m.; were marched out again at 1 p.m., returning at 5 p.m. At 6 p.m. a roll was again called for the 3rd, 4th, and 5th classes, who were then locked up for the night. At 8 p.m. there was another roll call for those who had the privilege, and then all were seen to their wards, and all wards and gates were locked by 9 p.m., when strict silence reigned throughout the prison; the European warder going rounds up to 10 p.m., and occasionally, with the Superintendent and his assistant, paying surprise night rounds. Convicts on the march out of prison were moved five abreast, or as they called it "pānch-pānch," literally, by "fives."
On the first of every month there was a general muster of the whole of the convicts, including the first class, when the roll was called, and each answered to his name or number. This muster was always in the presence of the Superintendent, who inspected each convict, and if any one had a grievance his name was taken down, and his complaint afterwards inquired into at the "Inquiry Room." This opportunity was taken by the Superintendent to inspect the whole prison, wards, latrines, drains, and bathing places.
The rations required for the jail were either obtained upon indent upon the Government Commissariat Department, or by tender called for in the town. Each convict's daily allowance was as follows:—
| To 2nd, 3rd, and 6th classes without condiments. | Rice. | Dholl or Peas. | Salt. | Ghee, clarified Butter. | Vegetables. | Fish. | Mussalah or Curry Stuff. |
| oz. | oz. | drs. | drs. | oz. | oz. | drs. | |
| Effective men | 32 | 5 | 8 | 8 | — | — | 7¼ |
| Invalids and Women | 24 | 2 | 8 | 8 | — | — | 7¼ |
To the fourth and fifth classes, being effective, with condiments, fish and vegetables alternating thus—
| Rice. | Dholl. | Salt. | Ghee. | Vegetables. | Fish. | Mussalah or Curry Stuff. | |
| oz. | oz. | drs. | drs. | oz. | oz. | drs. | |
| Monday | 28 | 5 | 1 | 10 | 5 | — | 7¼ |
| Tuesday | 28 | — | — | 10 | — | 5 | 7¼ |
We found that this dietary scale was sufficient to a native under labour to repair waste tissue without giving fat. The "ghee," or clarified butter, made the rice more nutritious, and the "dholl," or peas, contained both albumen and starch, which would of themselves alone support life. For the penal class there was the usual congee diet.
All convicts not being in the first class, nor employed as messengers in hospitals or at public offices (when they received a compensation), were clothed in the jail.
| The 2nd, 3rd, and 6th classes | – | half-yearly and duly marked | – | Nine yards of stout grey shirting. One jail suit. Two working suits and a stout cap. | ||
| 4th and 5th classes |