Odisha Jails To Get Automatic Restricted Telephone System

Bhubaneswar: As part of the ongoing prison reforms, Odisha is going to introduce automatic restricted telephone system in various jails. Through the system, the jail authorities can record the conversation of the inmates which can play a crucial role in putting a check on alleged criminal activities being controlled from within the jail premises.

Sources said, the automatic restricted telephone system will be introduced in two jails-Choudwar and Jharpada in the first phase.
Director General Prisons & Director Correctional Services, Satyajit Mohanty informed that through this new initiative, an inmate will be allowed to make calls only to three phone numbers which they have to submit to the authorities.

These telephone numbers will be first verified and later an inmate will be allowed to talk for a predefined time. Once the time exceeds, the calls will be automatically disconnected.

“Such system is already in place in some States and we are planning to introduce it in Odisha as well,” said Mohanty.

As per the existing norms, a register of the calls made by the inmates is being maintained. However, neither the calls were verified nor they were recorded.

“At present, there is no restriction on duration and number of calls made by inmates. As a result, there are chances of criminals getting scope to operate their network from jails. Hence, the new system will be handy,” Mohanty added.

It is pertinent to mention here that Ministry of Home Affairs has recently sought a report from States on the Standard Operating Procedure (SoP) being followed in jail management following allegations of criminals operating their crime syndicate and instances of indiscipline by inmates at several prisons.