State seeks more time to install CCTVs in jails

The State government has filed a petition in the Kerala High Court seeking four more months to establish CCTV surveillance system in all jails.

The government pointed out that there was failure on the part of the Director General of Prisons (Prisons and Correctional service) in submitting in time the proposal to install CCTV system in jails in the State.

The High Court had directed the State government to implement the suggestions to install CCTV cameras in jail within two months to monitor the activities of the prisoners. The court had passed the order in a

suo motu proceeding initiated by the court.

The court had also made it clear that contacting prisoners over mobile phone could be checked once the systems were installed.

The affidavit filed on behalf of the government by government pleader Kochumol Koduvath had stated that there were 52 jails in the State out of which CCTV surveillance had been installed in three central prisons and three district jails.

The CCTV system has to be installed in the remaining 45 jails in the state.

The goverment had said that the CCTV surveillance system already installed was not functioning properly.

Therefore, on August 16, the government had convened a meeting under the chairmanship of Principal Secretary (Home and Vigilance) to discuss a proposal for annual maintenance contract for the installed system and repair works.

The DGP prison had been directed to furnish a proposal for annual maintenance contract for already installed system and installation of CCTV system in the remaining 45 jails.

On September 27 and October 26, the DGP (Prisons) had been again directed to furnish the proposal. The proposal from the DGP (Prisons) has not been received in government so far.

Therefore, it needed four more months to comply with the court order.