High-Tech Gadgets To Detect Illegal Use Of Mobile Phones In Odisha Jails

Bhubaneswar: Worried over instances of criminals using mobile phones and operating their crime syndicates from inside the jails, the authorities have now decided to make extensive use of technology to curb such menace. As per official sources, high-tech mobile phone detectors will be provided to jail authorities to trace cell phones sneaked in by inmates into prisons.

Santosh Upadhyay, DG Prisons and Correctional Services today informed that around 300 mobile phone detectors will be procured at an estimated cost of Rs 70 lakh and will be provided to 91 jails across the State. Depending on the inmate strength and vulnerability, such electronic gadgets will be provided to jails.

“The mobile phone detectors will be used to detect cell phones inside jails,” said Upadhyay.

Upadhyay further informed that special arrangements are being made to ensure that not a single official or jail employee is allowed to use mobile phone inside the jail. Besides, surprise joint raids by police and magistrates will be conducted at regular intervals.

“We are undertaking several reform measures including setting up video conferencing facilities in two districts so that it helps in reducing expenses incurred towards transporting inmates for appearance before court. This will also help in putting a check on the incidents of escape of under-trial prisoners,” Upadhyay added.

The corrective measures to improve security in jails comes after it was alleged that gangster Shakil made an extortion video call from Choudwar jail to a Cuttack based businessman in December last year.

Later, carrying out a probe Commissionerate Police had arrested nearly eight persons including father and two girlfriends of Shakil in connection with the incident.