Laser nets and scanners in prisons just hollow promises; prisoners using common salt to damage even jammers

THIRUVANANTHAPURAM: The government's announcement six years ago that it would install laser 'safety nets' and scanners for body searches of prisoners in central jails to address frequent security lapses has remained a hollow promise. A small scanner was installed to check the bags of prisoners, but it was ineffective. The announcement was that commandos would be deployed, but the security is being handled by the Indian Reserve Battalion.

The government had announced in 2019 that it would install a state-of-the-art surveillance system using laser beams, like those in foreign prisons. The effort was to prevent notorious prisoners from planning and executing gold smuggling, robberies and murders while in prison.

Prisoners smuggle smartphones, batteries, headphones, narcotics and weapons into the prison in the absence of scanners or X-ray systems for body searches. This is when remand and trial prisoners are taken to court and returned. The government's plan to purchase a whole body scanner worth Rs 2.50 crore for body searches did not materialise. Most of the blocks in the central prisons do not have camera surveillance. There are no staff to monitor the CCTV footage. The laser net will project laser beams into all the cells, corridors and surrounding walls. If anyone crosses the beams, an alarm will sound with a warning of danger. Although an expert committee was appointed to study the technology and cost of this, no further action has been taken.

Jammers will be damaged by salt

Jammers installed in central jails to prevent phone use are damaged by prisoners with salt. This trick was discovered by a prisoner from Kannur, who is an engineering graduate. The current method is to damage prison cell bars using salt. The salt that comes with food is collected, stolen from the kitchen and brought to the cells.