District Collectors, SPs directed to conduct surprise visits to jails in Odisha

Director General (DG) of Prisons Susanta Nath has directed all the District Collectors and Superintendents of Police (SPs) in Odisha to conduct surprise inspections of jails across the state.

The directive comes in the wake of a recent incident where two prisoners escaped from Choudwar Jail, prompting heightened vigilance within the prison department. There have been several complaints in the past regarding various illegal activities inside jails.

During different inspections, authorities have seized intoxicating substances, mobile phones, and even deadly weapons from the prisoners. To curb such unlawful practices, the DG of Prisons has issued written instructions to all the Collectors and SPs, urging them to carry out surprise visits and strengthen prison surveillance.

Also Read: Choudwar Jail superintendent transferred amid security lapse

Earlier a day before, Choudwar Jail Superintendent Santoshini Dash was transferred to Kantabanji Sub-Jail in the aftermath of the recent escape of two inmates from Bihar. Current Jailor of Kantabanji Sub-Jail Raghuraj Majhi replaced her.

The change came as part of immediate measures to strengthen jail security and restore public confidence in the State’s correctional system.

The daring escape of the Bihar-origin prisoners had raised serious questions about internal surveillance and management at Choudwar—the State's largest and most high-security jail.