“Jammers in all central prisons soon”

State has sanctioned ₹5 crore for procurement of 12 advanced jammers, says ADGP

Additional Director General of Police (Prisons) C. Sylendra Babu having a look at the garments made by inmates of Tiruchi Central Prison on Monday.

The Tamil Nadu Prison Department has embarked on the task of installing jammers in all central prisons in the State in a bid to curb use of mobile phones by prisoners.

The State government has sanctioned a sum of ₹ 5 crore for procurement of 12 advanced jammers which would be installed at high security blocks in the central prisons.

Additional Director General of Police (Prisons) C. Sylendra Babu told reporters here on Monday that three jammers would be installed at the central prison, Puzhal in Chennai; two jammers in Coimbatore Central Prison and one each in the remaining central prisons including Tiruchi. The State accounts for a total number of nine central prisons.

ADGP Sylendra Babu said the jammers were being installed to curb use of mobile phones by prisoners and the equipment would be installed at high security blocks accommodating hardcore criminals and fundamentalists.

The jammers have been installed at Chennai and Vellore prisons, he said adding that the process of fixing the equipment in other Central Prisons would be done soon. The jammers had been procured through the Electronics Corporation of India Limited. Stating that steps had been taken to curb use of mobile phones by prisoners, he said use of jammers was a technical way of addressing the issue.

The induction of over 1,000 jail warders recruited through the Tamil Nadu Uniformed Services Recruitment Board would pave the way for full strength in the central prisons. Training for the recruit jail warders would commence from November, he added. Mr. Babu said Prison Bazaars had been revived at all central prisons to market products manufactured by inmates.

Twenty per cent out of the profit achieved through sale of products would be given to the prisoners and 40% to the State government. Earlier, ADGP Sylendra Babu inaugurated the revived Prison Bazaar at the entrance of the central prison here besides inaugurating a Staff canteen. He interacted with the family members of convicts who were invited on the occasion of Prisoners Welfare Day.

Deputy Inspector General, Prisons, Tiruchi Range K. Jayabharathi, Superintendent of Prisons, Central Prison, Tiruchi Nigila Nagendran and other officials were present on the occasion.