Lapses in Odisha jails: Unholy nexus between officials and inmates suspected

Questions are being raised over frequent security lapses inside the jails of Odisha after dreaded criminal Hyder’s son and his associates mercilessly assaulted an Under Trail Prisoner (UTP) named Soumyakant Mohanty for reportedly raising complaints against various illegal activities inside the Jharpada Jail before the District Legal Services Authority (DLSA).

It has been alleged from various quarters that the unholy nexus between the jailors and the prisoners is the main reason behind the criminal activities. 

It is also suspected that some jail employees are involved in a conspiracy against Soumyakant. Many have questioned how other prisoners were able to know about Soumyakant’s letter to the DLSA divulging information about various illegal activities of jail inmates.

In his letter, Soumyakant mentioned about various illegal activities including the use of mobile phones by jail inmates. He had also alleged that ganja bidi was being sold at Rs 200 per piece and Rs 50,000 (one time) was charged to provide better accommodation. For accessing mobile phones Rs 5000 and extra tariff was being charged.

Meanwhile, substantiating various allegations about the chaotic state of affairs inside the jails of the State, Soumyakant’s wife Biswakalpana Pati alleged that his husband was attacked in the presence of the jailor.

“As my husband was attacked in the presence of the jailor, I suspect that there must be some informant among the jail employees. I am in constant fear thinking about the life risk to my husband,” said Biswakalpana.

In response, Bhubaneswar DCP Prateek Singh said that an investigation into the incident has been launched. 

“A case in this connection has been registered by the jail authorities. We will carry out the investigation in cooperation with him,” said Singh.

A day before, Additional Director General (Prisons) Amitabh Thakur had visited Jharpada jail and ordered a thorough investigation into the matter. He had also promised stern actions against the erring persons.

A few months earlier, as many as two under trail prisoners identified as Subhman Rana and Sumit Behera had managed to escape from the jail in Titlagarh as some jail employees were indulged in a feast with them on the premises of a Hanuman temple located in front of the jail.

It has been alleged that many lapses are occurring inside the jails in the State due to an unholy nexus between the prisoners and the jail officials. To deal with these kinds of sensitive issues, the then-jail DG Amrit Mohan Prasad issued some guidelines. He had asked the jail employees to keep a strong vigil on the possible groupism between the prisoners and report it immediately to the higher authorities. Besides, it was also decided to use AI-based monitoring software to keep a vigil on the movement of the prisoners and the telephonic calls. However, due to poor implementation of all these guidelines, various lapses are frequently taking place inside the Jharpada jail located in Capital City.

“Jail employees are even aware of drug trade inside the jails. But they are not doing proper checking. The Superintendent must go on a weekly parade and listen to the grievances of the prisoners. The jailor must visit the jail twice. As these things are not being done, disturbances are happening,” said former Jail DIG Bankim Chandra Mohanty.