The Hindu : Kerala / Thiruvananthapuram News : Latest surveillance systems to be installed in central prisons

Online edition of India's National Newspaper
Monday, Jun 15, 2009
ePaper | Mobile/PDA Version

Kerala

Kerala - Thiruvananthapuram

Latest surveillance systems to be installed in central prisons

G. Anand

Wardens to closely monitor cells round the clock

HI-TECH: An array of security devices to be installed in the central prisons in Thiruvananthapuram and Kannur.

Thiruvananthapuram: The central prisons in Thiruvananthapuram and Kannur will soon have an array of surveillance equipment, including cameras and listening devices, to help wardens closely monitor jail cells round the clock.

Official sources said the surveillance system would help prison authorities protect the rights of young and new prisoners, who are often vulnerable to sexual abuse and wanton cruelty at the hands of senior convicts. It will help them prevent the trafficking of narcotic substances, detect corrupt practices, stop the secret use of mobile telephones by convicts, and ensure discipline in the penal complex.

They said the surveillance system would become operational at the Central Prison here in July. A comparable security system is also being planned for the Central Prison at Kannur later this year. The Security Systems Group of the Kerala State Electronics Development Corporation (Keltron) is implementing the project.

It is also supplying the high-security sabotage-proof camera created specifically for use in prison cells. Officials said nearly 80 cameras would be installed in the prisons, including in dormitories and cells where gang leaders and COFEPOSA prisoners are held.

The camera comes along with a highly sensitive microphone. The devices will be cocooned inside a stainless steel housing designed to fit into corners of prison cells. The camera can be tilted slightly to give a higher or lower view of the cell. In large cells, two cameras will be placed diagonally opposite for better coverage.

The cameras are equipped with high-resolution infrared vision to see in the dark, though their relay then will be in black and white. The audio and video feeds from the cell will be relayed to the prison control room and the superintendent’s office through tamper-proof fibre optic cables. The output from the cameras will be displayed on a digital screen with multiple windows at the control room where it will be recorded and archived. Any attempt to tamper with the surveillance system will set off an alarm.

Impact and weather-resistant dome-protected surveillance cameras with pan, tilt and zoom capabilities will cover the open areas of the prison. They will be mounted on 9 m poles.

High security prisons in the State will also have the latest infrared perimeter fencing soon. Beena Mathew, deputy general manager of the Security Systems Group, and S. Krishna Warrier, deputy manager, are implementing the project.

Printer friendly page
Send this article to Friends by E-Mail

Kerala